GREY’SHIDDENFIRE

DravenSt.James

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Grey’sHiddenFire

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Dedication

ToCherylandJay,fortheirloveandsupport,andtotherestofmyfamilyandfriendswhoprovideme
withboundlessinspiration.

DravenSt.James

ChapterOne

“IheardMicaCruzsuckscock,”Jefferiessaidwithalaughashesharedwhatwas

probablyablatantliehehadcreatedoutofboredom.Hespokeloudenoughforhis

voicetocarrytothelockerbay.

GreysonHayesclosedhiseyesandshookhishead.Thefirehousewasgossip

centralwhentherewerenoemergenciestofillthetime.Thefavoritetopicswerewhowasgettinglaid
andifyourJohnsonswungtowardtheladiesorthemen.Ifheheardthewordqueeronemoretime,he
mightjuststartagayprideparadetocounteractthenegativity.Heslammedhislockerandwalkedupa
setofstairstothespacewherealltheguyscrashed.Itwasalargeopenareathatconsistedofakitchen,
diningsection,andlivingroom.Theplacealwayssmelledofcoffee,anddamnanymanwhoforgotto

startanewpotifhemanagedtosnagthelastcup.

Theguysonshiftweresettledaroundtheplace.Simonwashangingoutinthe

livingroom.Hewasshorterthanmostofthem.Greyhadnoideahowsuchasmallguyhadmanagedto
passallthequalificationstobecomeafireman,butGreyhadlearnedovertimeappearancescouldbe
deceiving.

Dalewasstretchedoutonthesofa,hisattentionprimarilyonthefootballgame

playingontheTV.Hissportsobsessionstemmedfromthefactthathehadbeenslatedforcollegeball
untilakneeinjurytookawayhisscholarshipandhisdream.Healsopossessedthebiggestmouthofall
elevenfirestationsinEugenecombinedwhenyou

gothimgoing.

“Hey,Grey.YouheardaboutMica?He’sintodick.”Jefferies’seyeswerealight

withgleeaboutrunningsomeonedown.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Damn,themanwasitchingforafight.Greyjusthopedhewasaroundwhen

Jefferieshadtopayupforalltheshithestarted.

“How’dyourunintothatpieceofinformation?Washehangingoutatyour

stompinggrounds?”AroundoflaughtermetGrey’swords,andJefferies’sfacebecameredwithanger.
“Maybeyou’retheonewholikesalittlecockwithyourbaconandeggsinthemorning.Ithinkyou’re
projecting.”Greysmiled.Hedidn’tnormallyengage

Jefferies,butthemangratedonhisnerves.Micawasn’tevenheretodefendhimself.

“Fuckyou,”Jefferiesmutteredoverhisshoulderashestompedoutoftheroom.

Attheendoftheday,Jefferieswasjustoneofthoseguyswhowerealltalk.

Greysmirkedandwalkedintothekitchen,whichwasrichwiththescentoffresh

roastedcoffee.Hismouthwatered—thefirstsignofatruecaffeineaddict.Notthathewasalonewhen
itcametothatparticularhabit;nearlyallthefirefighterssharedinit.

Hisshifthadbegunwithtrash-talking,notexactlythebestwaytostartaday.Hetookasipofthedark,
fragrantcoffeeandbroughthisbrainbackonline.

“WhyisJefferiesactingmorelikeanassthanusual?”HeaskedDaleandSimon,

whohadbeentheaudiencetoJefferies’srantingonmorethanoneoccasion.

“Oh,he’sjustpissedthatthey’rebringinginMicaCruzfromstationfourinstead

ofhisfriendBilly.IguessMicaisn’tknownfortalkinguptheladies,andJeffthinksthatmeanshe’sa
fa—”DaleglancedoveratGreyandquicklyaway.“Gay.”

GreyhadoftenwonderedifDalesharedJefferies’sbiasorifhewasjusttooafraidtostanduptothe
otherman.

“Makessensenow.Whycan’ttheguyjustunderstandthosedecisionsarebased

onperformance,notonpersonalpreference?”Greywasallforhavingaclosefamilyoffiremenaround,
buthecouldonlytolerateonemanwithJefferies’scharming

disposition.HeknewBillyandJefferiesweredrinkingbuddiesandhadsharedinthestartofmanybar
brawlsovertheyears.

DravenSt.James

“IguessheputareallystrongreferenceinforBilly,andnowhis‘tenderfeelings’

arehurtbecausehisopiniondidn’tmatterasmuchashethoughtitshould,”Simonsaidwithasmall
chuckle.

“Jefferiesneedstopullthestickoutofhisassandrealizeheisn’ttopdog.”Greysighed.Thelastthing
hewantedwastodealwithJefferiesthrowingahissyfitalldaylong.Themancouldpoutlikeateenage

girlwhenthemoodstruckhim.

AsGreysettledonthecouch,themanresponsibleforJefferies’sannoyance

strolledthroughthedoor.ThefirstthingthatstruckGreywasMica’ssize.Hemustbewelloversix
feet,maybesix-six.Hisblackhairwasjustlongenoughtostarttocurlaroundhisears;hiseyeswereso
darkbrownGreycouldbarelydistinguishthepupilfromtheiris.Scruffshadowedhisjaw,whichlenta
ruggedimage.Micawasthekindofmanyouwantedtoseerunningintoaburningbuildingforyou.
Greysureashell

wouldn’twanttobeontheothersideofafightwithhim.

He’dheardrumorsovertheyearsaboutotherfirefightersbeinggaybuthadnever

putmuchthoughtintothem.Afterall,afirehousewasstillmostlyaboys’club,andanyonewho
operatedoutside“thenorm”wasthrustintothespotlightandassessed.

ButifGreyhadtoguess,hewouldnotputthatmountainofamaninthegaycategory.

JusttheideaofMicabendingsomemanoverandpoundingintohimcausedGreyto

flinchandbecomeflushedatthesametime.

Whatthehellhadputthatimageinhishead?

MaybeitwasbecauseMicalookedsomuchlikeTomMiller.Greyhadn’tthought

aboutTominyears,hisfootballteammateandatonepointsomuchmore…Hehadn’t

thoughtaboutthewayTom’sroughhandshadtouchedhim,howhe’dwelcomedevery

caress.Hehadn’tthoughtabouthisconfusionoverhisdesires.Thewholeencounter

wassomethinghe’dburiedandpretendedneverhappened.Ofcourse,thefisttohis

faceandthepromiseofmorepaintocomeifheeversharedanythingaboutwhat

they’ddonehadgonealongwaytowardcementinghisstatusasastraightman.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Hey.”Mica’sraspyvoicecutthroughGrey’sdustywalkdownmemorylane.

Nowtherewasavoiceforphone-sexlines.ThatdeepvoicesentashiverdownGrey’sspinehedidn’t
wanttoanalyze.

TheguysofferedtheirhellostoMica,notbotheringtostrayfromtheirtasks.

Mica’sdarkgazemovedfrommantoman,onlytosettleonGrey.

“Anymoreofthatcoffeeleft?”Micastretchedandyawned.Themusclescovered

byhisbasicwhiteT-shirtshiftedbeneaththethinfabric.Greyjerkedhisgazebacktohiscoffee.The
lastthingheneededwastogetcaughtoglinghisnewcoworker.

“Yeah,makeyourselfathome,”Greyoffered,lookingbackupatMica.

“I’mguessingyouknowwhoIam,butI’matadisadvantage.I’veonlymetyour

lieutenant.”MicagaveGreyasoftsmile,dimplespeekingout,beforeheturnedbacktothecoffeepot
andpouredhimselfacup.

“Sorryaboutthat.I’mGrey.Thoseguysoverthere”—Greytiltedhisheadtoward

thelivingroom—“areSimonandDale.”

“Andtheguywhojustaboutplowedmeoveronthewayinhere?”Micastood

withhishipproppedagainstthecounter.

“That’dbeJefferies.He’salittleannoyedthathisbuddyBillydidn’tgetyourjob.

Sodon’ttakeittoopersonally.”Greyshruggedandsmiledinanefforttolessentheharshtruth.

“Ah,well,IguessIshouldhavefiguredonthat.I’msureitisn’ttheonlyreason,though,”Micasaid,
thenblewonhiscoffee.

Thosesoft,fulllipspursinghadGrey’scockjerkinginhisjeans.Holyshit.Whatwaswrongwithhim?
Hecouldonlyhopehisdiscomfortwasn’tevidentonhisfaceas

hislong-burieddesirestriedtorisetothesurface.

“Oh?”heasked,waitingforMicatoexpoundonthevaguestatement.

“Noworries.Itwillworkitselfout,”Micasaid,bypassingGrey’squestion.“So

longashecandothejob,Idon’treallycarehowhefeelsaboutme.”

DravenSt.James

Greynodded.Itsoundedasifthishadn’tbeenthefirsttimeMicahaddealtwith

problemsinvolvinghiscoworkers.Greywascuriousiftherewasanytruthtowhat

Jefferieshadbeensaying.Notthathewouldmind,butstill.Hedidn’tcarewhatpeopledidbehind
closeddoors.Hehimselfdidnotkissandtell.

HisgazetraveledtoMica’slips,andhewonderedwhattheywouldlooklike

stretchedaroundhiscock.Hisjawclenched.Hewasstraight.Right?Micawasprobablystraightand
wouldbloodyGrey’snoseforhisthoughts.IthadtobeJefferies’s

commentsthatweremessingwithhishead.

“I’djustkeepyourdistance.Hecanbeameansonofabitch,”Greyconfided

underhisbreathsoonlyMicacouldhearhim.

Aloudsirenbuzzedthroughthefirehouse,severingtheirconversation.Allthe

menleapedfromtheirspotsandbookeditovertoslidedownthepoletothegarage.

Theysteppedintotheirbootsandpants,pulledthemupquickly,andslippedintotherestoftheirgear.
Outofthecornerofhiseye,GreycaughttheangryglareJefferiesshotinMica’sdirection.Notgood.

“Allright,boys.”Theirlieutenant,Michael,shoutedovertheshrillsiren.“We

haveastructurefireatFifteenthandBlair.Youallknowwhatthatmeans.Itcouldbeamethlab,sobe
carefulaboutpossiblechemicals.Let’sride!”

Greycringed.Thatwasabouttheworstneighborhoodtheycouldgointo.There’d

beenanumberoffiresinthatareaovertheyears,andhehadnodoubttherewouldbemore.Halfthe
buildingsshouldhavebeencondemnedbutinsteadhousedmostlythe

homelessordrugdealers.He’dalsoseenhisfairshareofhookersrunningfromthem,barelyclothed
andrefusingtostopandlethismenaskthemwhomightstillbetrappedinside.Noneoftheresidents
wantedtobeinvolvedwithanyoneofficial,evenifitsavedalife.

Theonlyreasonthecityleftthecrumblingstructuresstandingwasbecauseanold

buildinglookedbetterthanaslewofhomelesspeopleandhookerswalkingthestreets.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Ittooktenminutesbeforethefiretruckpulleduptoabuildingengulfedinflames.

Anycivilianwouldseethefireandthinktherewasnowaytosavethosewhomightbetrappedinside,
butGreyandhisfellowfirefightersknewbetter.Thebuilding’sstateofdisrepaircouldbemisleading.A
desertedstructuredidn’tmeanthatpeopleweren’t

findingsafetywithinitsdeterioratingwalls.

Greygotoutoftherigwiththerestoftheguysjustastheambulancespulledup

nexttothem.Hebreathedasighofrelief.Nowthewholeteamwashere.

“Jeff,you’rewithMica.SimonandDale,followbehind.Grey,covertherigwith

me,”Michaelroaredoverthecracklingfireandchaos.

“IwanttogowithDale,”Jefferiesyelled.

“Idon’tcarewhatyouwant.Getyourassinthatbuilding,”Michaelbellowed.

Greyshookhishead.Nowwasn’tthetimeforpettyin-houseissues.Jefferieswas

goingtogethisasshandedtohimbyMichaelwhentheygotbacktothefirehouse.

Theguysdisappearedintothefierybuilding.Toanyoneelseitwouldappearthat

thefirehadswallowedthem,butGreyknewMichaelwouldneversendhismeninifitwerealost
cause.Withnoonearoundtoaskwhethertherewerepeopleinside,they

hadnochoicebuttoassumetheremightbe.Afterall,someonehadactuallycalledthisonein.

Greyworkedonhookingupthehosetotheplug,checkingthedischargeflow,

andchargingtheline.

“Grey,areweokaytogo?”Michaelasked.

“Yes.Theflowisgood.Let’sdothis,”Greyreplied.

Theminutestickedby.GreyandMichaeloperatedthepumptoblanketthefirein

waterfromtheoutside.ItalwaysamazedGreythatatfirstitlookedasthoughthe

flamessimplyabsorbedthewaterandmockedtheirattemptstodefeatit.Evenif

winningwasn’tinthecards,quittingwasn’tanoption.Therewasalwaysachancethey8

DravenSt.James

wouldn’tsalvagethebuilding,butitwastheirprimaryjobtogivethoseinsideachancetogetout.

“What’sitlooklikeinthere?”Michaelaskedthroughthemicsystem.

TherewasacracklebeforeJefferiesresponded,“It’sfuckinghotashell,andwe’renotseeingproofof
anyonecrashingheresofar.”

“Whataboutyou,Simon?”Greyasked.

“Thestructureisclosetobeingfullyinvolved.We’recomingoutplustwo,”Simon

shoutedintothemic.

GreyexchangedashockedlookwithMichael.Hewassurprisedanyonelivedin

thedamnplace.

Truetohisword,SimonappearedwithDaleatthesidedoorontheoppositeend

ofthebuilding;onecarriedawomanandtheotherdirectedaman.Theparamedics

immediatelymovedtoassistthem.

“Thefirekilledthepathwetook.Nowaybackin,”DaleyelledatMichael.

GreyhopedJefferiesandMicaweren’tblockedinontheirside.Thefierceroarof

thefirewasgrowingmoreintensebytheminute.Theywererunningshortontime.

SweatlinedGrey’sforeheadastheheatrolledoffthebuildinginwaves.Thestructuregroanedand
begantocollapseontheleftside.

“Jeff?Mica?Wherethehellareyou?Getyourassesmoving.Thebuildingis

comingdownonyourheads,”Michaelholleredintothemic.

Greyfeltthebeginningsoffearfilterthrough.Theguyswerecuttingitpretty

close.

Arigpulledupfromstationten.Greynoddedintheirdirectionastheypiledout

andsetuptheirgear.Nowatleasttheyallhadachanceofcontrollingthefire.Thelieutenantcameover
togetarundownofthesituationbeforereturningtohiscompany.

AllGreyheardwasthattheywouldn’tbesendinganyoneelseinside.Assoonas

JefferiesandMicacameout,stationtenwouldhelpestablishadefensivefireattack.

Grey’sHiddenFire

TherewasacracklingoverthesystembeforeJefferiesresponded,“I’monmyway

out.”

GreyfrownedatMichaelasJefferiesbargedoutthefrontdoor.Micawasn’t

behindhim.

“WherethehellisMica?”MorethanahintofangercoloredMichael’sshout.Grey

knewthattonetomeanJefferieswasroyallyscrewed.

“Idiotthoughtheheardsomeonecrying.Icouldn’thearshit,andIdidn’twantto

riskit.Hewouldn’tlistentome.”

“Youass,”Greyhollered.“Youneverleaveamanbehind.”Hepushedpast

Jefferiestowardthebuilding,butMichaelgrabbedhisarm.

“Mica?”Greyshoutedintothemic.Whenhecouldn’tdiscernanythingbutthe

buzzovertheairways,hejerkedhisarmawayfromMichaelandtookofftowardthe

buildingagain.Inhorror,heheardthebuildinggroan,thesoundofadyingstructureasitstartsto
slowlycrumble.Largechunksofburningrubblesmashedtotheearthandshooktheground.

MichaelclaspedGrey’sjacketandhauledhimback.

AconfusedDaleandSimonranuptothegroup.“Wecouldn’tfindanyoneelse,”

Simonsaid.

Aparamedicjoggedup.“Themansaidnoonelivedhereexceptfortheoccasional

hooker.Thewomanthoughtacrackheadmightbestayingherewithherkid.”

Asharpsplinteringofwoodechoedaroundthem.TheyturnedtoseeMica

shoulderhiswaythroughwhatremainedofthesideexit.Thedoorcrashedtothe

ground.Micahadasmallchildcradledinhisarms,hismaskoverherface.Hiswholebodylookedlike
ithadbeendippedinash.Hetookafewstepsforwardbeforehe

collapsedtohisknees.Theparamedicapproachedhimandtookpossessionofthelittlegirl.

DravenSt.James

GreyhurriedtoMicaandheldouthishandtopulltheothermantohisfeet.“You

okaythere,man?”heasked,hisgazerivetedtoMica’sface.

Micanodded.“Yeah,justlostmybalancethereforasecond.”Hisvoicewasabit

raspy,butnotfaroffthenormalrumble.GreypausedasanacuterushofreliefthatMicahadmadeit
outflowedthroughhim.

Aparamedicfromasecondambulancestrodeovertothem.“Weneedtocheck

youout.”

Micarolledhiseyes,andGreysmiled.

“Fine,butI’mokay,”Micapersisted.

GreywatchedastheparamedicpracticallyhadtodragaveryannoyedMica

away.

WithMicatakencareof,GreyturnedonJefferiesandgotrightinhisface.“What

wasthat?”

“Hewastryingtoplayhero.Itwaspureluck.”

GreyslammedhisfistintoJefferies’sface.Jefferieshitthegroundwithaloud

thunk.Greyglaredathim.“Youwouldhaveneverleftoneofusbehind.”

“Hey,”Michaelyelled.“Backoff,Grey.”

“You’rejustgoingtolethimgetawaywithit?”Greyaskedinastonishment.

“Oh,hellno.Jefferies,you’reonsuspension,unpaidleaveuntilyouractionscan

beassessed.Ihavenocluewhatwasgoingoninyourhead,soI’dusethistimeofftothinkveryhard
aboutifyouwanttokeepyourjob.”

MichaelturnedtoregardGrey.“AndI’mgoingtohavetowriteyouup,Grey.

Jefferiesmayhavedeservedthehit,butIcan’tjustletitdropwithoutincident.”

Greynodded.He’dtakethewrite-upandthesternlecturethatwouldresultfrom

it.Thepublicdisciplinaryactionmightnothavebeenwhatsomeconsidered

professional,butMichaelcouldbearealhard-asswhencircumstancescalledforit.

Grey’sHiddenFire

GreyscowledatJefferiesandstalkedawaytowardtherig.Micawasshakingthe

paramedic’shandandnodding.Greycouldn’thearwhatwassaid,butitlookedlike

Micawasbeinggiventheallclear.ThankGod.Thewholesituationhadhadthe

potentialtobemuchmoreexplosive.

Jefferiesstoodasthebuildingfullybuckled.Thenoisethunderedaroundthem.

Greyfrozeandstaredatthemassofwoodandfire.Micawasluckyhehadmadeitoutdespite
Jefferies’sincompetence.Jefferiesdeservedmuchmorethanasuspension.

DravenSt.James

ChapterTwo

Theridebacktothefirehousewasquiet.Thecleanupseemedtotakeforever,

althoughthelieutenantfromstationtenhadvolunteeredhismentofinishupandwaitforthefire
marshal.Therewouldbeaninvestigationastowhetherthefirewasan

accidentorarson.Moreoftenthannot,inthatneighborhoodthefirewasaccidental.

Itappearedthewoman,man,andgirlwouldbeokay.Thegirlhadtoldthe

paramedicsnooneelsewaslivinginthebuilding.Shesaidthemanwasvisitingthewoman,which
couldonlymeanonethinginGrey’seyes.Alittlepaidsexinan

abandonedbuilding.Thegirldidn’tknowwherehermotherwas,butthatwouldall

havetobesortedoutthroughsocialservices,whichwasn’thisdepartment.

HeglancedoveratMica,whosatnexttohiminthebackseatoftherig.Hewas

coveredingraysoot,butasmilecurvedhislips.Greywouldbesmilingtoo.Whenarescuewasmade,
wheneveryonecameoutalive,thatwasawin.Thebuildingitself

wouldhavefallendownsoonerorlater.Itwasn’tabigloss.

GreysmackedMicaontheback.“Greatjob,man.SorryaboutJefferies.”

MicaturnedtolookatGreywiththosebottomlessdarkeyes.“Wasn’tyourfault.

DidIhearMichaelsuspendhim?”

“Yeah,heshouldhavebeenfiredforthatstunt,”Greysaid.

MicalightlytouchedGrey’sredandswollenknuckles.Theyweresorefromthe

punchhe’dlandedonJefferies’sface.“Isawthattoo.”

Grey’sskintingledfromthatbriefcontact.WhatwoulditfeellikeifMicaranhishandsoverGrey’s
body?Heclenchedhisjaw.Nowwasnotthetime.Hell,therewasn’teverarighttimeforthose

thoughts.

“Hedeservedmorethanthat.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Micashrugged.“Atleastwegotthegirlout.”

Greyknewtheothermanwasn’ttalkingaboutJefferieswhenhesaidwe.All

firefightersappreciatedthehelpoftheoneswhomannedthehoseandtheparamedicswhocamein
afterward.Itwasateameffort.

“Trueenough,”GreyrespondedandbumpedhisshoulderagainstMica’s.

Jefferieswasthefirstmanoutoftherigwhentheypulleduptothefirehouse.He

headedstraighttowardthelockerrooms,nodoubttogathersomeofhisstuffandgohometostarthis
suspension.Greyhopeditwasforgoodandnotjustfornow.JefferieshadputMicaindangerbecause
ofhisbitternessandbias.MicaandtherestofthemenwouldbesaferwithoutJefferiesthere.

MichaelclappedhishandoverMica’sshoulder.“Youdidgood,man.Gotakea

shower.Grubwillbereadywhenyou’redone.”

Greysmiledatthecamaraderie.“I’mmakingchilifordinner,sodon’tbetoo

long.”

“Goodtoknow.I’mstarvingandkindofjackedupafterbeingoutthere.”Mica

flashedthemasmile;hisdimplesmadetheirappearance.Evenwithhisfacecoveredinsoot,theman
wasstunning.

Greyshedhisgearandturnedawaytowardthekitchen.Stunning?Really?Whatwashe,awoman?

“Iguesssinceyou’redoingdinner,Simon,Dale,andIwillcleanuptherig.That

chilibetterbeworthit,”Michaelsaid.

Greyscoffed.MichaelknewfullwellthatGrey’schiliwasalwaysworthit.Grey

hadwoneverychilicompetitionthey’dhadoverthelastfiveyears.

“Youjusthurryup,orwe’lleatitall.”Greygrinnedoverhisshoulder.

He’dworkedoutofthefirehousekitchensooftenheknewitbetterthanhisown.

Heactuallycookedheremorethanhedidathome.Hemaneuveredaroundthekitchen,

cuttingtheonions,peppers,andherbs.Itwasallsecondnaturetohim.

DravenSt.James

HismindkeptdriftingtoMica.Themanhadgainedhisrespectinoneday.Mica

hadalsomanagedtoconfusethehelloutofhim.Thelastthingheneededwastobe

deckedbyhisnewcoworkerbecausehisdickchosethatmomenttopointinadifferentdirection.He
hadnoproblemwithgaypeople.Heknewfirsthandthebiastheylived

with.YetsincehisexperiencewithTom,he’dbeenwithenoughwomentobelievethattherewasno
wayhecouldpossiblyswingtheotherway.

ButeverytimehelookedatMica,hecouldn’thelpbutflashbacktotheforbidden

sensationofstronghandsandahardbody.Hefoundhimselfwantingtopushtheblackstrandsof
Mica’shairbehindhisear.He’dfeltcompelledtowipeawaythesmudgeofashthathadclungto
Mica’sfullbottomlip.

Hisprickhardened,pressingagainsttheflyofhisjeans.Hethumpeditwithhis

hand.“Behave,”hescolded.Shit,nowhewastalkingtohisdick.

Thechilihadbeguntosimmerandwouldbereadyinahalfhourorso.Heknew

itwouldn’ttakemuchlongerthanthatfortheguystocleantherig,butitwasnicetogivethemshit
abouthavingtofendforthemselves.

Hefrownedatthechili.He’dbeencookingforanhour,andMicahadyettomake

hisappearance.Greywipedhishandsoffbeforehewalkedbacktothelockerroom.Itwassetuplikea
gymwithahugeopenshowerthatboastedtenshowerheads.There

wereplasticchairstoo,becausesometimesafterafireyouweresotiredthatallyouwantedtodowas
sitdownandgetridofthegrimeatthesametime.

Heheardthesoftsplashofwaterassteamsnakeditswayoutoftheshowerarea.

“Hey,Mica?”hemurmured.Hedidn’twanttostartletheman.Micahadbeenthrough

enoughtodaywithoutslippingintheshower.Silencefollowedhisquestion.Hemovedcloserand
discernedasoftgroan.

Hequicklywalkedtowardtheshowersandquietlypeekedin.Itwouldn’tbethe

firsttimeoneofthemenhadliedabouthavinganinjurytokeepfromahospitalvisit.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Whathesawcausedhishearttostopandhisdicktoswell.Mica’sheadwastilted

forwardasthewatercascadedaroundhim.Hehadonehandagainstthetiledwallandtheother
wrappedaroundhiscock.

Greyfrozeinplace.Micawasabreathtakinglyhandsomeman,hisbodyall

sculptedmusclecoveredinsun-kissedskin.Hewasstrokinghishardcockataslow

andlazypace;hishipsrockedintothefirmclasp.Grey’sgazestrayedtoMica’sass.

Damn,thewayitclenchedwitheachthrusthadGreyreachingdowntoapplypressure

tohisownshaft.TheimageofbendingMicaoverandplowingintoMica’stightass

invadedhismind.

Mica’spacepickedup.GreyobservedbreathlesslyasMicasqueezedthetipwith

eachupthrustandplayedwiththehead,rubbingthesensitivebundleofnerves.Micapanted;hiships
thrustfaster,softmoansescapedbetweenpartedlips.

Greybithisliptokeepfromgroaningalongwithhim.

“Ohfuck,”Micasaidwithagruntandpumpedharder.“Ohyeah,suckmycock,

baby.”Mica’sheadtippedback,andGreycouldseethathehadhiseyessqueezedshut.

Grey’seyeswidened.Atthatmomenthedesperatelywantedtobeinthatshower,

wet,andfuckingMicasohardanddeepMicawouldfeelitfordays.Hismindcloudedwithlust.He
shouldn’tbewatchingMica,butlookingawaywasn’tanoption.Hewas

mesmerized.

Mica’spantsturnedintosharpgasps.“Fuck,Grey,I’mgonnacome.”

Greyhadn’tthoughthecouldgetharder,buthedid.Precumsoakedintohis

briefs.

HeknewMicahadn’tseenhim.WhichmeantMicawasthinkingabouthim.That

thoughtlodgedinhisbrain.

Micamoaned,andthickspurtsofcumhittheshowerwallandsliddowntothe

drain.Hisshouldersslumped;hisbreathslowed.

DravenSt.James

Greysteppedbackandtrippedoverhisfeet.Themovementpitchedhiminto

Mica’sdirectlineofsight.Shit.

Mica’seyessnappedopenandlockedonGrey’s.Mica’swholebodywentrigidas

allcolorlefthisface.Greyknewhehadtheoppositeproblem.Hisfacewasprobablyasredasatomato.

Atalossforwhattosay,andnotwantingtoevenbegintotalkaboutwhatthehellhadjusthappened,
Greysimplysaid,“Chiliisalmostready.”Heturnedcarefullythistime,thenbookedittothekitchen.

Grey’sHiddenFire

ChapterThree

Holyshit.Fuck.Damn.Whatinthehellhadhebeenthinking?ItwasMica’sfirstdayatthefirehouse,
andhegotcaughtnotjustjackingoff,butjackingoffwhile

moaninghiscoworker’sname.He’dbeenwiredfromthefire,anditwasagreatstressreliever.Thefact
thathisfantasyincludedthehottestmanhehadeverseen,andthatthehottestmanjusthappenedtobe
Grey,didn’thelp.

GreywasalittlebitshorterthanMica,withambereyes.Hishairwasarich

chestnutcolorwithblondhighlightswoventhroughit.Itwaslongenoughtobeshaggybutshort
enoughtostayclearofhisface.ItgaveGreyajust-got-out-of-bedlook.Eithernaturewaskind,orGrey
wenttoagreathairdresser.SomehowMicaknewitwasthe

former.Grey’sfacewasruggedandhard.Theonlysoftnesswashislips.Damn,the

manhadsomefantasticcock-suckinglips.Eventhesmallscarthatcutintotheupperonewassexyas
hell.Andofcourse,hehadtobebuiltlikeaswimmer.Allsleek,

muscledlines.NotbulkylikeMica.Inshort,Greywasthetypeofmangaymenhad

sweaty,fuck-filleddreamsabout.

Micafelthimselfgethardagainandgroaned.Thiswasgoingtobeaverylong

shift.

Heshutoffthewater.Hecouldn’tavoidGreyforever,buthereallyhopedtheir

nextconfrontationdidn’tinvolvealotofbruises.HewaswillingtoletGreyhavehissayorthrowa
punch.Afterall,Greyhadwalkedinonhimmoaninghisname.He

deservedtoswingaway.

Micatoweledoffandslowlypulledonhisclothes.Hehadreallywantedthingsto

workouthere.

DravenSt.James

Hewalkedintothekitchen.Greywasstirringalargepotofchili.Thetempting

scentwaftedabouttheroom.Abarranthelengthofthekitchen,dividingitfromthediningroom.
Michael’sofficewasstationedtotheleftoftheentrywaytothestairs.

MicahungrilyglanceddownatGrey’sass.Thereweresomanywickedthings

he’dliketodowithit.Heshookhishead;thosewerethethoughtsthathadgottenhimintroubleinthe
firstplace.Heclearedhisthroatashesatatthebar.

Greyturnedtolookathim.Hiseyeswereguardedbutheldnohintofunease.

Maybehehadn’theardMicacallouthisname.Itwasn’tquitesounheard-oftocatchyourcoworker
masturbatingintheshowers.Thatwasjustawkward.Itwasnot,

however,beat-down-worthy.

“CanIhelp?”Micaasked.Theonlyhopehehadwastoburythehatchetin

ignorance.Ifhepretendedithadn’thappened,maybeitwouldgoaway.

AsmileplayedonGrey’ssexylips.“Canyoumakecornbread?”

“It’sbeenawhile,”Micasaid.“Actuallythat’salie.Ihavenoskillswhenitcomestobaking.”

Greyhandedhimaboxofcornbreadmix.“Ifyoucanreadthedirectionsonthe

box,youcanmakethebread.”

Micachuckled.“Okay,yougotmethere.”Hestoodandwentaboutfindinga

bowlandgatheringthenecessaryingredients.

HehelpedGreycookincompanionablesilence.Hetriednottonoticehowthe

mansmelledspicyandwoodsy.Micawassureitwasacombinationofsmokeanda

littlebitofthechilispicesGreyhadused.ButitwasascentthatkeptMicaonedge.Hewantedtotuck
hisfaceinGrey’sneckandbreathehimin.

Thekitchenwassmallenoughthattheybumpedandbrushedupagainsteach

other.Everytimeithappened,Mica’sskintingled,andhiscockthrobbed.Heglancedlonginglyatthe
flatsurfaceofthekitchencounter.HewouldlovenothingmorethantobendGreyoveritandworkup
anappetitebyfuckinghim.Hetookadeepbreath.Nowwasdefinitelynotthetimeorplaceforthose
deliciousthoughts.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Ithadbeeneasierattheotherstationhousebecausenoneofthementherehad

remotelyappealedtohim.Theywerethearrogant,burping,farting,beer-swillingtypes.

He’dhadalotoffunbeingaroundthem.AtleastuntilDarrelwashiredandstartedharassinghim.
DarrelhadshownanodddesiretoknowwhyMicadidn’talwayshave

awomanridinghisdick.

Micashookhishead.Thatwasinthepast.Hewasawayfromallthatcrap,andhe

woulddohisbesttosettleinhere.

“So,notthebestwaytostartyourfirstshift,huh?”Greyaskedashepivotedto

spearMicawiththatsexyambergaze.

“I’vehadbetterdays,butwesavedsomelives,andthat’swhatmatters,right?”

“Yeah.That’swhatthejobisabout,”Greysaidwithoneofhiscutehalfsmiles.

“Justsoyouknow,Jefferiesisahabitualass.Idoubtanyonewillfaultyouforhisforcedleave.”

“Iwasn’tsurehowthatwasgoingtopanout.Theguysattheotherstationwere

reallytight,evenwiththeassholes.”

“Oh,we’reallfriends,butwearen’tagang.We’remorelikeafamily,andyoujustgotcreepyUncle
Jeffkickedoutofthefamilypicnic.”

Micalaughed.Itwaseasytoseethatthesemenhadabonddeeperthantheir

workingrelationshipasfirefighters.

“Thefamilypicnic,huh?”Simonaskedashewalkedintotheroom.“Aww,does

thatmakeusbros,Grey?Iwuvyou.”HesmiledbroadlyatMica.“Soareyouthenew

stepchild?DoesthatmakeMichaelthedaddy?”HesentGreyanevilsmirkand

pantomimedspankingsomeone,howlingloudly,“Who’syourdaddy?”

Itwasn’thardtoseethatSimonwastheyoungestofthegroup.Themanhada

knackforkeepingthelevityflowing.Micaknewthatithelpedalottobeabletofindthehumorinlife
inafieldasdangerousastheirs.Simon’syouthfulcrazinessdefinitelylenttowardthatgoal.

DravenSt.James

“Hellno.Ifyouweremysons,you’dshowsomemorerespect.”Michaelwalked

outofhisofficeandcastanarrowglanceatSimon.

“Okay,Daddy,”Dalereplieduponsteppingintotheroom.

Greywinced.“Thatsoundedsowrong.”

DaleglaredatGrey.“YouknowwhatImeant,youperv.”

Allthementookupspotsthatseemedtobetheirs.Simonpickedupabookand

sprawledonachairinthelivingroomarea.DalegrabbedtheremoteandflippedontheTV,and
Michaeltookaseatatthebar.

MicalookedoveratMichael.Themanhadshortwhitehairandstartlingblue

eyes,sowisethatMicawasafraidhesawallMica’ssecrets.Micahadahardtime

distinguishingMichael’sage.WhileMichael’shairwaswhite,hisfacedidn’tappeartobethatofan
olderman.Neitherdidhisbody,whichwastallandpackedwithmuscle.

“I’msorryforallthedrama.”Micaproppedhishiponthebar.

“Youdidnothingwrong.Jefferieshasalwaysbeenahothead.Hopefullythetime

offwillgivehimalittleperspective,”Michaelsaid.

Thebeeperontheovenbrokeupthemoment.

“Grub’son,”Greyannounced.Thenhepulledoutthecornbreadandsetitonthe

counter.

Micamovedaroundinthekitchenuntilhefoundaknifeandcutupthecorn

bread.Thenhegrabbedabowltosnagsomeofthechili.Itdidsmellamazing.

“SoMica,whatwasitlikeatyouroldstation?”Daleasked.

Greydidn’ttakeaseat;heleanedupagainstthecounter,watching.Mica

attemptedtoreadthelookinhiseyes,buthefeltlikeGreywasstrippingawayallhislayers.

“Umm,well,it’skindofsimilartoafrathouse,Iguess.Alotofsmellymenwho

curseandyellandfightoverthelaststalebagelfromthedaybefore.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Inthatcase,youarereallyluckytobewithus.Greycooksalmosteveryshiftandtriestomakeplenty
forleftovers,”Michaelsaidaroundamouthfulofchili.

“AndwearenotNeanderthals,”Simonchimedin.“Weknowhowtoshowerand

sayexcuseme.”

Dalesnortedbutkeptquietotherwise.

“Whythetransfer?”Greyaskedquietly.

MicatiltedhisheadtothesideandthoughtfullyconsideredGrey.“Thisstationis

closertohome.Iactuallyappliedherebeforehavingtoacceptthepositionattheotherstation.Assoon
asaspotopeneduphere,Itookit.IthinkI’llgetonbetterwithallofyou.Well,withmostofyou.”

“Hey,don’tjudgeusbyJefferies,”Michaelsaid.“Hejusthasabuguphisbutt

aboutmenothiringonBilly.NotthatIwouldhave.Thatboyhasanalcoholproblemandisthemost
unreliablefirefighterI’vecomeacross.NotqualitiesI’dwanttobeapartofmycompany.”

Micanodded.“AslongasIcankeepgettingfoodlikethis,IthinkI’llstick

around.”Hesmiled,andthatseemedtobreakwhatevericeremained.

Thenextfewhoursflewby.HelistenedtoDaletalkabouthiswifeandtwogirls.

Simonmentionedsomeclasseshewastakingsothathecouldbecomeaparamedic,and

Michaelshowedhimpicturesfromthepastyearoffirehouseevents.Onefamilypicnicincludedapetite
womanwhoappearedshyinthephoto.Hershoulderswerecurledin,andhergazewasfocusedonthe
ground.Nexttoherslouchedayoungmanwho

gloweredatwhoeverwasbehindthecamera.

“Who’sthat?”Micaasked.

“Oh,that’sDarlene,Jefferies’swife,andtheirson,Daniel.Ithinkthatwasoneofthefeweventsthey
allcametolastyear,”Michaelconfided.

Jefferies’sfamily.Darlenelookedmiserable,andDanielwasthespittingimageof

Jefferiesallthewaydowntotheannoyedexpressiononhisface.

DravenSt.James

“Jefferiesisn’texactlysocialwhenitcomestoworkevents,unlessit’srequired,”

Simonsaid.“Hiswifehasalwaysbeenreallysweet,butI’veonlymetherahandfuloftimes.”

“That’sthetruth,”Daleoffered.

Theonlyonewhodidn’taddmuchtotheconversationwasGrey.Hemoved

aroundinthebackground,cleaningupthekitchenbeforeheexcusedhimselftogogetsomerest.

“Don’tmindGrey.He’snotoverlychatty,buthe’sagoodman,”Michaelsaid.

“Nowifeorkids.Ithinkhemostlykeepstohimself.Therearesomemenwhoare

simplythejob.Greyisoneofthem.”

MicasattowatchthegamewithDaleandtriedtosuppressthedesiretorushback

totheroomwhereGreyslept,justsohecouldbenearhim.Afteraboutthirtyminutes,hestoodup,
stretched,andsaid,“IthinkI’lltakealittlenapwhileIcan.”

“Thatsoundslikeagoodidea.”Michaelyawned.“Youboysholddownthefort.”

“Michaelsnoresrealloud,soI’dbunkwithGreyifyouexpecttogetanysleep,”

SimonsaidbeforeshootingMichaelagrin.“Therearetwosleepingquartersdownthehall.”

Micawalkedintothedarkroomthatcontainedtwobunkbeds.Grey’shuddled

formmadeasilhouetteagainstthedarknessononeofthelowerbunks,andMica

stretchedoutontheother.Grey’sshiftingsentthesoundsofacreakymattressacrossthesmallspace.

“Areyougay?”Grey’swordsshatteredthesilencewiththeirquietintensity.

Micafeltlikealltheairhadbeensuckedfromtheroom.Noonehadeverout-and-

outaskedhimifhewasgay.Hewasfairlycertainitwasbecausehedidn’tlooklikethestereotypical
gayman.Healsodidn’tactlikewhathiscoworkershadalwaysdescribedasagayman.Hewasn’t
effeminate.Theywerenevercruel,buttherewasalevelof

mockingwhentheyspokeaboutthetopic.Thereactiontotheanswertothisone

questioncouldscrewhiswholeworldup,buthedidn’tfeellikehecouldlietoGrey.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Yes,”herespondedinalowvoice.Heheldhisbreathandwaitedforsomekind

ofverbalorphysicalexplosiveresponse.Therewasnothing,justthesoftsoundof

Grey’sbreath.

“WasIanygood?”Greyasked.

Micasatupandstaredintothedarkness,hismouthhangingopen.“What?”he

askedinaloudwhisper.

“Inyourfantasy,Imusthavebeenprettygood,right?”Therewashumorinthe

otherman’svoice.Humor,butnotridicule.

“Yeah,youwereprettygood,”Micaconceded.Helaybackonhisbedand

laughedsoftly.“Youwerereallygood.”

“Isthatwhatyouare?Dominant?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“I…”Greyhesitated.“Areyouatop?”

MicasnickeredandsmiledbroadlyatGreyforhavingthecouragetoaskthatkind

ofquestion.“Yesandno.”

Greychuckled.“Howdoesthatwork?”

“Iwouldn’tmindbottomingfortherightguy,”Micaconfessed.Hehadneversaid

thattoanyone.Hehadactuallyneverbottomed,butifgivenachancewithGrey…he’dbetempted.

“Oh…”Greymurmured.

Micaglaredhardintothedarkness.HewishedhecouldlookintoGrey’seyes,see

whatwasinGrey’smind.Itwasdamndifficulttojudgewhatamanwasthinking

simplybythetoneofhisvoice.Greydidn’tseemtohavemuchofaproblemwith

Mica’sbeinggay.Ifanything,hesoundedintrigued.

“Itakeityou’restraight?”Micaasked.

DravenSt.James

Theweightofthesilencewasheavy.HadGreygonetosleepthatquickly?Mica

wantedtogetupandturnonthelight,buthedidn’tthinkGreywouldappreciateit.Itwouldfeeltoo
muchlikeaspotlightduringaninterrogation.

“Yes,”Greyadmitted.Althoughthebriefmomentofhesitationwascurious.

“Thankyou,then,fornotfreakingoutaboutearlier,”Micasaidintothevoid.His

faceheatedatthewords.Hewantedtoaddtothat,buthedidn’tknowwhattosay.

Apologizingforusingsomeonetogetoffwasanewthingtohim.Inhisearlydaysofcomingouthe’d
hadhisone-nightstandswithnoapology.Somehowthisentire

situationheldahigherlevelofintimacy.Maybeitwasthesharingofsecretthoughtsinthedark.

Greyshuffled.“Mica?”

“Yeah?”

“WhatwasIdoing?”

Mica’seyeswidened.Hecouldn’thaveheardthatright,orhe’dprocessedit

incorrectly.“Huh?”

“Imean,whatwasyour…Whatwasthewholefantasy?”

Micahadtosituptohearthewhisperedwords.“Intheshower?”

“Yeah.”Greysighed.“Imean,IknowIwas…Imean…intheend…sucking…”

Micacouldpracticallyfeeltheheatoftheothermanblushingacrosstheroom.

“Areyouseriouslyaskingforthesettingofmyjack-offsession?”Micachuckled.

“Well,whenyousayitlikethat…”Grey’svoicefilledwithdiscomfort.“Iguessit

wasanoddquestion.Nevermind.”

Greysoundedmortified.Micadidn’tknowwhatdroveGreytoaskthequestion,

butMicawantedtosharethefantasywithhim.Afterall,Greyhadasked.Noonecouldfaulthimfor
handingoverinformationthathadbeenrequested.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Micalaybackandclosedhiseyes.“YoucameintothelockerroomasIwastaking

offmyT-shirt.YouwantedtoknowifIneededanyhelpcleaningup,orifIhadanypainfromthefire.”

HepausedtoseeifGreywouldstophim.IfGreyhadchangedhismindabout

wantingtoknowMica’shotfantasy.AfantasywhereGreywasthestar.Heheard

nothingbutGrey’sbreathing.“Areyouwithme?”

“Yes.”

IfMicahadn’tbeenlisteningsoclosely,hewouldn’thaveheardtheresponse.

“Okay,soItoldyoumyshoulderwasreallyhurtingfromwhenIpushedagainst

thedoorframetomakeitoutside.Youcameupbehindmeandranyourfingersover

myshoulders,massaging.Icoulddetectthefaintesttouchonmyneck,whereitfeltlikeyou’dkissed
me.Mycocktwitched,andIbarelymanagedtokeepfromgroaning.You

feltmybodytense,soyoupulledawayandturnedmearound.YouaskedifIwasokay,ifIneededany
otherhelp.”Hisvoicebecamehoarsewitharousal.

“That’swhenyoulookeddownandsawmycock,rockhardagainstmybriefs.

YoureacheddowntolightlystrokeitthroughthefabricandaskedifIrequiredhelptakingcareofany
otherspecialneeds.”

Greychuckledsoftlyandsaid,“Soundslikealinefromapornvideo.”

“Well,itisafantasy.Givemeabreak.”Micalaughed.“Anyway,ofcourseIwas

shockedbyyouroffer,butsofuckinghardbecauseyourhandwasstrokingmydick

thatInodded.Youpushedmybriefsdownandwrappedyourfingersaroundmycock.

Yourhandfeltamazing.Itwassowarmandrough.Irockedmyhipsintoit.”Hiscockleaked.The
arousalwastentimeswhatithadbeenintheshower.Describingthe

fantasyforGreywashotterthanhecouldhaveimagined.

“And?”Greyasked,hisvoiceragged.

Micaproppedhimselfuponhiselbow.Wasithisimagination,ordidGreysound

turnedon?

DravenSt.James

“Thenyouswipedyourfingerovertheheadofmydick,gettingadropofprecum.

Youbroughtittoyourlipsandsuckeditoff.Youtoldmeittastedsweetandsaltyandthatyouwanted
more.”

Grey’sbreathcamefasterfromacrosstheroom.Holyshit.JustthethoughtofGreygettinghotfromthe
fantasywasenoughtomakeMica’scockthrob.

“Thenwhat?”Greywhispered.

“Yougotdownonyourkneesandlickedthetipofmycock.”Micadetecteda

groanfromtheotherbedandbithisliptokeepfromrespondinginkind.“Iranmy

fingersthroughyourhair,holdingyourheadsoIcouldslowlyfeedyoumydick.”

Hepausedwhentheotherbedsqueaked,followedbyabreathlessmoan.Hiseyes

nearlybuggedoutofhishead.WasGreygettingoff?Micagrittedhisteethandheldhispulsingcock
throughhisjeans.

“Mica…and…?”Greypanted.

“IheldyourheadinplacesoIcouldfuckyourmouthwithouthavingyoupull

away.Itoldyoutotakemycockdownyourthroat.Yourmouthwassotightandwet

aroundmydick.Yourtonguepressedandswirledaroundthehead.Youkeptlooking

upatme.Youweresosexyonyourkneeswithyourlipsstretchedaroundmycock.I

pushedfartherin,pumpingharder.Myhandsbecametangledinyourhair.Ipulleditslightly,which
madeyoumoan.Thatsoundvibratedaroundmydick.Thesensation

nearlymademecome.”

“Fuck,”Greywhimpered.

Arhythmicsqueakreverberatedfromtheotherbed.

“Yeah,fuckingwasexactlywheremythoughtswere.AsIgotclosertocoming,all

Icouldthinkaboutwashowgooditwouldfeeltohavemycockburiedinyourtight

ass.”Micapausedatthedistinctivesoundofazipperbeingpulleddown.

“Grey?”heaskedtentatively.“Areyouhard?”

HediscernedthefaintsoundofGrey’swhispered,“Yes.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Heclimbedoutofbedandwenttothedoor.Inforapenny,inforapound.Aftertwistingthelockin
place,hemovedtostandnexttoGrey’sbed.

“CanIliedown?”heasked.Thewordsweresimplebutfraughtwithmeaning.

“Uh,yeah.”Grey’svoicesoundeduncertainbutthickwithneed.

Micalaydownandbarelykeptfrompinchinghisarmtoseeifthiswasadream.It

definitelywasnothowhe’dpicturedhisday,buthellifhewasgoingtocomplain.

Grey’sbodytrembled.MicaleanedforwardtobrushhislipsacrossGrey’sear.

“Then,”hewhispered,“youreacheddownandunzippedyourpants.Youpulled

outyourhardcockandstrokeditasyousuckedmeoff.Itoldyouhowamazingitwaswatchingyou
andhowIwantedtoseeyoucomeforme.ThatIwantedustofinishat

thesametime.ThatIwantedyoutoswalloweverydropofmycum.”

HealmostfelloffthebedwhenhefeltGrey’shandagainsttheflyofhisjeans.Heinhaledsharplyas
Greyloweredhiszipper.ThenthatsamecurioushandslippedintoMica’spantstopullhiscockout.

“Ohfuck.”Micahissed.

“Iwant…”Greypaused.

“What,Grey?Whateveryouwant.”

“Iwanttofeelyoucomeforme.Righthere,forreal.”

MicaremovedGrey’shandfromhiscockandrolledsohewasontopofGrey.His

dickrubbedupagainstGrey’s.Ittookallhiswillpowernottocomefromthatbrieffirsttouch.He
rockedhiships,grindingagainstGrey.

GreyclutchedMica’ships.HislegsspreadtoallowMicatopresscloser.

MicawhisperedinGrey’sear,“Iwatchedyoustrokingyourhardprick.Itwas

leakingsomuchprecumthatIwasdyingforataste.Ifelteachmoanyoumadeasitvibratedaroundmy
cock.”Hepumpedhishipsfaster.Bothoftheirdickswereslick

withtheirarousal.

DravenSt.James

“Myballsdrewup.Myhandstightenedinyourhair,pullingitasIforcedmycock

deeper.”

“Fuck.”GreypantedashewrappedhislegsaroundMica’sthrustinghips.

“Itoldyoutosuckmycockharder.Ineededtocomesobadly.Thenyougroaned

asyourdickpulsed,andyoucameonyourhand.Thesmellofyourcumandthe

vibrationsofyourgroanspushedmerighttotheedge.Iwasthrustingmywholecockdownyourthroat.
IwarnedyouthatIwasgoingtocome.”

Micapaused,groaningbecauseheactuallywasabouttocome.Greybuckedhis

hipsagainstMica’s,hisdicklikesteel.

“Iam.God…Iam.”GreygaspedashebitMica’sshoulder,andhiscumsplashed

againstMica’scock,spurtingontobothoftheirstomachs.

ThefeelofGrey’steeth,theslickglideofGrey’scum,setMicaofflikearocket.Hedughisfingersinto
thepillowbeneathGrey’sheadashepumpedouthiscumagainstGrey’sbody.“Fuck,fuck,fuck.”

HeloweredhissweatyforeheadtoGrey’sandwhispered,“ThenIcame.The

end.”

Greylaughed.“Yeah,Iknow.”

MicamovedoffGrey.Whatexactlywastheetiquetteaftercomingonyournew

coworker?HeremovedhisT-shirtandwipedoffhisstomachandhandedtheT-shirttoGrey.

“Umm,thanks.”AminutelaterGreyhandeditbacktohim.

MicahadtofighttheurgetobringittohisnosesohecouldsmellGrey’scum.He

satbackonhisownbedandstaredintothedarkness.Ifitwasquietbefore,itwasevenmoresonow.

“Mica,I…”Grey’svoicewassouncertainandconfusedthatMicasavedhimfrom

whatwouldprobablybeanawkwardexplanation.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Hey,nobiggie.Justtwoguysgettingoff,right?”Hewantedtotakethewords

backassoonashesaidthem,becauseithadfeltlikemoretohim.Hejustdidn’twanttoputany
pressureonGrey.Afterall,Greythoughthewasstraight.Hell,maybeMica

wasjustanexperiment.

“Sure,”Greywhispered.HesoundeddisappointedbyMica’sresponse.“Night,

Mica.”

Micalayinthedark.Whatthefuck?

DravenSt.James

ChapterFour

“Grey,getyourassoutofbed.Dale’sgoingtoeatallthechili,”Michaelyelled

throughthedoor.

Greysatupandranhisfingersthroughhishairtoputittoorder.Theimagesof

whatheandMicahaddoneslammedintohim.Ithadcertainlynotbeenadream.The

factthathispantswerestillunzippedattestedtothat.Addtothathewasalittlesticky.

Ifheweren’tsobaffledaboutthesituation,he’dbelaughing.Whathadhebeen

thinking?WhatmustMicathink?Greywasn’tgay.Granted,gettinghardtowhatwas

essentiallygaypornandthenruttingagainstalarge,attractivemanuntilyoucameoneachotherdid

comeoffasabitgay.

IthadbeeneasytoputhisteenageexperiencewithTomintothecategoryof

youthfulexperimentation,butwheredidthatleaveMica?Hewasn’tayounghorny

teenanymore.Hewasjustahornyconfusedman.

HecouldstillfeeltheweightofMica’sbodyasitpresseddownonhis.Ithadbeenhot.Reallyhot.He
closedhiseyesandtriedtoconjureupthewomenhehadbeenwith.

HeattemptedtodrawapictureinhismindofNatalie,hislastgirlfriend.Shewas

beautiful—longblondehair,greeneyes,petite,andslender.Helookeddownathis

cock.Nothing.HetriedtothinkaboutTom,butMica’sfaceimposeditselfonthat

image.Greyfrowned.Wasitpossibletobegayjustforoneperson?God,thatsoundedridiculous.If
thatwasapossibility,whatthehellwashesupposedtodowiththehard-onsthatcontinuedtopopupto
giveMicaabighello?

HedreadedfacingMica.

Strangely,hehadnoregretsaboutthenight.Hisonly,perhapssmall,regretwas

thathehadn’tkissedMica.IfhewasgoingtocomeonMica,hewantedtoatleastknowGrey’sHidden
Fire

whathissoft,fulllipsfeltlike.Andwhatthattonguecoulddosothathewouldhaveaninklingofwhat
itwascapableofdoingtohiscock.

Hesighed.Heneededtoprocessthis.Heneededtimeawayfromthesubjectofhis

lust-filledmusings.

Hegotupandmadehiswaytothekitchenarea.Theguyswereallhangingout.

TaberandGavin,whowerenowonshift,hadjoinedthegroup.

Micasatatthebar.HisgazeboredintoGrey.Grey’sfaceflushedashewatched

Micadrinkinghiscoffee.Micaslidhistonguealonghislowerliptocatchstraydropsofthesteaming
liquid.Grey’scockpulsed,andheknewheneededtogetthehelloutofDodgebeforeheembarrassed
himself.Hefeltlikeeveryoneelseintheroomcouldseewhatflashedthroughhismind.TheX-rated
imageswerenotforthefaint,orstraight,ofheart.

“Sorry,buddy,thechiliisallgone.”Simonpattedhisstomach,asatisfied

expressiononhisface.

Greyshookhishead.“It’sokay.I’mheadinghomeanyway.”

Michaelcameoutofhisofficeandintothekitchen.Hegrinned.“Ohsure,sleep

throughtheshift.Whatarewegoingtodoaboutdinner?”

Greygrinnedweakly.“Iguessyou’lljusthavetofendforyourselvesorlearnto

readacookbook.Goodluckwiththat.”

Michaelchuckledsoftly.“You,myfriend,areevil.”

“Michael,IwaswonderingifIcouldusesomeofmydaysoff.Iwouldbebackon

Friday.”

“I’llcoverhisshifts,”Simonoffered.

Michaelnodded.“Sinceitseemsyou’recovered,Idon’tseeaproblemwithyou

takingafewextradaysoff.Simonandtheguyscanfillinyourshifts.Areyounotuptosnuff,ordid
yougetacallwhenweweren’tlooking?Isthereasexyladywho’sdecidedtotakeyouuponsomefree
time?”

DravenSt.James

Allthemenlaughed,andGreysmirked.HeavoidedMica’sgaze.“Weshallsee.”

Hegaveamocksaluteandlefttheroom.Timetogethomeandponderwhy,after

nearlyadecadeofbeingexclusivelywithwomen,hesuddenlywantedtosuckaman’s

dick.Hehighlydoubtedanyoftheguyswouldguessthatwasthereasonhewastakinganimpromptu
vacation.

MICATRIEDTOkeephimselffromglaringatthedoorway.Hadwhathad

happenedbetweenGreyandhimbeensodamningthathehadtorunaway?Micalet

outafrustratedsigh.Well,itseemedhehadroyallyscrewedup.

“Whatwasupwiththat?”Gavinasked.Themanwashuge—tallerthanMica.He

hadabiker’sbuffbuildandashavedhead.Hiseyeswereaclearbluethatalmost

lookedunnatural.Micaassessedhimandwaitedforhisbodytotakenotice,buthis

dickhadabsolutelynointerest.

Thesamecouldbesaidabouttherestofthem.Taberwasn’tquiteastalland

sportedaleanerframe.Hisblackhairwasshortandspiked.Hiseyeswereastartlinggreen,andthey
glitteredwithcuriosity.

YetMica’sbodyhadnoreaction.Heshouldbegladhiscockwascompletelyshut

downsexuallywhenitcametohisothercoworkers.ButwithGrey,itwaslikehisdickwasacompass.

“Iguesshejustneededabreak.HealmostattackedJefferiesoutinthefieldwhen

thedouchebagwentrogueandleftMicaaloneinthatcomplexfire,”Simonsaid.

“What?”Taberexclaimed.“I’dhavebeenonhisasstoo.”

“Yeah,JefferiesdecidedMica’shearingwasoff.Micasaidheheardsomeone

callingandwenttowardthevoice.Jefferiessaidhedidn’thearthesamething,sohebookeditout.”
Simon’sangervibratedintheair.

“Jefferiesisonsuspensionpendingfurtherinvestigation,”Michaeladded.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Noshit?Good,heobviouslyneedssometherapy,”Gavinsaid.“Hehasno

respectforauthority,andyouknowthat,Michael.”

“IguessIwasjustwaitingforachancetosuspendhim.Ididn’tthinkkeepinghim

onwouldbelifethreatening,”Michaelstated,andMicasawtheregretintheolder

man’seyes.

“So,wasMicaright?”Taberasked.

“Yes,therewasalittlegirlinoneofthebackrooms,”Michaelsaid.

GavinandTabershooktheirheads.Theirfurywasobvious,judgingbythetense

silencethatfollowed.

MicaglancedoveratDale,whosegazewasgluedtothegame.Themanvoicedno

opiniononthematter,orperhapshesidedwithJefferies.Eitherway,atleastMicahadthesupportofthe
majorityofthegroup.Heexperiencedagreatwaveofreliefthathewassurroundedbymenwho

exudedsuchhonorintheirprofession.Thisgroupofmen

hadoneanother’sbacks,andnowhewasoneofthem.

“SodoesGreynotevertakehistimeoff?”heaskedwhilehestareddownathis

coffee.Hedidn’twanttocomeoffasovereagerforinformation,butthemanhadstoodupforhimout
inthefield.He’dalsomadeMicacomeharderthanhecouldever

remembercominginhislife.

“Nope.ThemanisaboutasdedicatedtohisjobasanyoneIhaveeverseen,”

Simonoffered.“He’snotabigsharerwhenitcomestopersonalinformation,buthe’sagoodman.Ido
knowthathe’sanonlychildandhisfolkspassedawaysometimeago.”

“Howlonghasheworkedhere?”

“Longerthanme.”Michaellaughed.“Ithinkaboutsixorsevenyears.Whenthey

wantedtopromotehimtolieutenant,hedeclined.Iaskedhimlaterwhy,andhesaidhedidn’tlikedoing
paperwork.”

“Atleastthemancancook.Speakingofwhich,who’smakingdinner?”Dale

interjected.

DravenSt.James

“TheChineseplacedowntheroad.”Simongrinned.“Atleastthat’swhereI’m

orderingmyfoodfrom.”

“Allinfavor,say,‘Hellyeah,’”Michaelresponded.

Theloudshoutsofagreementsealedthedeal,andMicasettledintowatchthe

interactionsofthegroup.Hecouldfitinhere,solongashefiguredoutwhatwasgoingonbetween
Greyandhim.

Grey’sHiddenFire

ChapterFive

IthadbeentwodayssinceMicahadseenGrey,andhemissedtheman.How

couldyoumisssomeoneyouhadbarelyknownforhalfaday?Heguessedhavinghad

themostintenseorgasmofhislifefromrubbingoneoutagainstGreycouldbethe

reason.Hiscockstillgothardwhenhethoughtaboutit.He’djackedofftothefantasyatleasttentimes
overthelasttwodays,somuchthathisdickwassore.

Greywasscheduledtoworktoday.Theywouldneedtositdownandhaveatalk.

Micaopenedhislocker,andaslipofpaperflutteredoutandlandedonthefloor.

Hepickeditup.Hisbrowfurrowed,andhisheartfroze.

Wedon’twantnoqueerhere.Gofuckaroundwithyourownkindoryou’llunderstandwhathellislike.

Hereadandrereadthestatement.Helookedoverhisshoulder,buthewasthe

onlyoneintheroom.Whattheheck?Evenathisoldstationhousehehadnevergottenanyout-and-out
hazing.Hewasfairlycertainifhisformercoworkersknewhewasgay,theyhadgoneoutoftheirway
toavoidthetopic.This,though,thiswasdifferent.

Hefrowned.WouldGreydothis?Themancameoffassomeonewhowould

confronthisproblemshead-on,nothidebehindthreateningnotes.Ofcourse,how

muchcouldyouknowaboutsomeoneinsuchashortamountoftime?Washegetting

backatMicaforaweakmoment?

AngerboiledinMica’schest.Greyhadbeenperfectlywilling,andGreywasthe

onlyonewhopositivelyknewMicawasgay.Micapunchedthelocker.Thepainthat

radiatedthroughhishanddidnothingtosoothethehurtthatlaybeneaththebetrayal.

****

DravenSt.James

Greystrolledintothestationhouse.Overthelastcoupleofdayshehadsifted

throughhislifeandsearchedforinstances,besideshisexperiencewithTom,wherehehadfeltany
intenseattractiontomen.He’dflippedthroughphotosofmalefriendsandcomeawaywithoutasingle
sparkofinterest.

HisonetimewithTomhadbeenshortand,lookingback,veryawkward.He’d

givenTomahandjob,andTomhadsuckedGrey’scock.ThenTomhadviolently

expressedhowmuchheregrettedthemoment.ItwasasifTom’sresponsehaddelayed

Greyfrombeingabletoacknowledgethepossibilities.

Avenuesthathewasnowexploringbutreallygettingnowherewith.Hell,he’d

evenwatchedsomegayporntoseeifitturnedhimon,andnothing.Noteventhe

beginningsofanerection.However,whenhethoughtofMica,hiscockshotuplikearocket.Hefound
himselfjackingofftomemoriesoftheman.ImagesofMicainthe

shower,ofthesoftsoundsofpleasurehemadewhenhecame,andofthewayhiscockhadfeltagainst
Grey’s.Hardandthrobbing.Allofthatcombinedhadhimcomingin

sixstrokesorfewer.

Greyhadgonesofarasthelocalgaybartocheckoutthescene.Hisdickmightas

wellhavebeenalimpnoodleforalltheresponseitgave.Theonlythinghecould

equateittowasthatevenstraightmenweren’tattractedtoallwomen.Perhapshehadveryspecific
tastes.AndrightnowhehadastrongappetiteforMica.Ifthatwasthecase,thendidheactonitor
hopeitwentaway?IfMicahadbeenawoman,Grey’sonlyhesitationwould’vebeenthattheyworked
together.Washeanassfordenyinghis

attractiontoMicasimplyonthegroundsthatMicawasaman?

Greygloweredandwalkeduptothekitchen.Taber,Gavin,andSimonwere

hangingout.Theylookedexhausted,whichmeantthenighthadbeenlongandhectic.

Hecovertlyglancedaroundtheroom.NoMica.Greyknewheworkedtoday.

“Grey,thankGodyou’rehere,”Simonexclaimed.“Makeusfood.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Greyknewthemenexaggeratedintheircravingforhiscooking,buttheir

enthusiasmneverfailedtoboosthismood.“Haveyoulostweight,Simon?Whatdo

youdoathome?”

“Iorderin,ofcourse,”Simonexclaimed.

“What’sfordinner?”Taber’seyeswerebigandpleading.

“Fine,I’llmakesomefriedchickenifyouallwilldropthepuppy-dogeyes.It’s

freakingmeout,”Greymutteredwithahalfsmile.Itwasactuallygreattobearoundthisgroupofguys.
Theywerethefamilythathenolongerhad.Whenhisparentshadpassedaway,thefiremenwerethe
oneswho’dfilledthevoid.

Michaelpeekedoutofhisofficeandgrinned.“Wemissedyou,oldbuddy,old

pal.”

“Icallbullshit.Youdidn’tmissme.Youmissedmycooking.Don’tlie,”Greysaid.

Thenheshookhisheadatthedesperationofthemenaroundhim.Theywerelikea

packofhungrywolves.

“Icannottellalie.Iwasraisedonpackagednoodlesandfrozenpizza.Youarethemaninthekitchen,”
Simonsaidwithanoverlybrightsmile.

“That’sright.I’mgoingtostartchargingyouguysformyservices.”

“Willthisbeagrouprate?”Michaelasked.

“Ifyoudo,thenSimonhastopaymore,becausedamn,canthatboyeat,”Mica

saidfromthedoorway.Hehadanoddlookonhisface.Hewassmiling,butitdidn’treachhiseyes.

“Yeah,yeah,yeah.Biteme,”Simongrumbled.

“Biteyou?”Greybaited.Simon’sagealwaysbledthroughwhenhewascornered.

“Hey,Mica.Simon’saskingtobebit.You’remissingout,”Gavinoffered.

Grey’sfaceflamed.Heturnedtowardthesinktohidehisembarrassment.He’d

alreadybittenMica.He’dhadhislegswrappedaroundMica’shipsandhadbeen

comingatthetime,buttherewasbitinginvolved.

DravenSt.James

“HaveyoubeenwatchingtoomuchTwilight,dude?”Taberaskedwithasmirk.

“Fuckyou.”SimonglaredatTaber,buthislipstwitchedwithsuppressedmirth.

Theroomeruptedintolaugher.GreysilentlythankedSimonfordistractingthe

group.

Hewaspeelingapotatowhenhesensedtheheatofsomeonestandingbehind

him.Heinhaledandwasfilledwiththespicy,masculinescentthatwasallMica.

Mica’sbreathtickledhisearashewhispered,“Weneedtotalk,now.”

“Youguyswantmashedpotatoesandfriedchickensomuch,thenyouneedto

peelthepotatoes,”Greysaidbeforeheturnedawayfromthesink.“Ineedtosetupmygear.”

HemaneuveredhiswayoutoftheroomandleftituptoMicatomakehisown

excuses.

Greysteppedoutintothebayandgathereduphisgeartosetupnexttothefire

engine.Itdidn’ttakelongbeforehefeltMica’spresenceintheroom.Grey’swholebodytensedashe
walkedbacktohislockertograbhisgloves.HecouldfeelMicaclose

behindhim,soheturnedaround.MicatippedGrey’sfaceup,andtheirgazeslocked.

Mica’sdeepchocolateeyesheldalookofconfusionandhurt.

“Tellmeyoudidn’tdoit,”Micarasped,almostpleading.

Greyfrowned.Hisheartpoundedasfearandconcernfloodedhim.“Dowhat,

Mica?”

MicapushedbacktostaredownatGrey.“Someoneleftathreateningnoteinmy

lockeraboutmebeinggay.”

“Andyouthoughtitwasme?”GreyfeltatwingeofpainthatMicawouldthink

hewascapableofdoingsomethingsocruelandunderhanded.

“You’retheonlyoneI’vetold,”Micacountered,buthisvoicehadlostmostofits

venom.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Greysmoothedhishands,whichhadhunglooselyathissides,upMica’sarms.“I

understand.Youdon’tknowmeverywell.Butrumorsaboutyoubeinggaywereflying

aroundlongbeforeyoucamehere.Hell,Jefferiesbarelyletusthinkaboutanythingelse.Yes,youdid
tellme,butIhavenothingtogainbyoutingyou.That’snotwhoIam.”Heranhisfingersthroughthe
silkystrandsofMica’sblackhair,tryingtosoothethestressMicawasexuding.

“I’msorry,Grey.”MicatrailedhisfingersalongGrey’sjaw.Hebentnearerto

nuzzleGrey’sneck.“Whenyoutooktimeoff,Ijustassumeditwasbecauseyouwere

disgustedbywhatwedid.ItwassounexpectedthatIdidn’tknowhowyou’dreact.I’msorry.”

“Hey,”Greysaid.“Iwouldn’tbetrayyourtrustthatway.”Atthatpointhewould

havesaidjustaboutanythingtogetthesmiling,laughingMicaback.WhileGreymightnotcompletely
comprehendthefearthatMicalivedwith,hewantedthemantoknow

hecoulddependonGreytoholdhissecrets.GreywantedtoknowallMica’ssecrets.

“Thankyou,”Micareplied.“Thatmeansalot.”Heleanedcloser,hisbodyholding

Grey’sagainstthelockers,histhighbetweenGrey’s.Therewasnotaninchofspacebetweenthemas
hemurmured,“Iwanttokissyou.”

Greyswallowedloudly,andhiscockhardenedagainstMica’sthigh.Herocked

hishipsforwardandbecameglaringlyawareofhowturnedonMicawas.Mica’scock

waslikeasteelpipeagainstGrey’ship.

Micagroaned,andGreycuppedhisface.HeheldMica’sgaze.Thosewerethe

eyeshe’dimaginedwhilehecame.Hehadn’tbeenabletoseetheminthedarknessofthesleeping
quarters.Rightnow,theywerefilledwithdesire.

Mica’sfacewasflushedandhislipssoftandfull.Greyexaminedthatmouth,and

beforehecouldoverthinkit,hebrushedhislipsoverMica’s.Histhoughtscenteredononesentence—
hewaskissingaman.Anintimacyhehadn’thadwithTom.

Micafrozeforonemomentbeforelettingoutaraggedbreathandrelaxingagainst

Grey.HetracedhistonguealongGrey’slowerlip,acaressthatbeggedforentrance.

DravenSt.James

Greypartedhislips,allowingMicatothrusthistonguein.Greystartedaslow,hardgrindagainst
Mica’sthighashesuckedonMica’stongue.Micagrowledlongandlow

inhisthroat.HedroppedhishandstoGrey’ships.Hegroundtheirbodiestogether,andthefrictionon
Grey’scockincreased.

GreydeepenedthekissandpumpedhistongueinandoutofMica’smouththe

wayhewantedMicatofuckhim.ThewayhewantedtofuckMica.

MicapulledbackandtriedtostillGrey’sbuckinghips.“Wecan’tdothis.”

Firstembarrassment,thenhurtwashedoverGrey.Shit,he’dpracticallymauled

theman.HepushedawayfromMicaandturnedtopresshisheadagainstthecool

surfaceofthelocker.

“Grey?”Micatouchedhisshoulder.

“I’msorry,Mica.Ididn’tmeantomakeyouuncomfortable,”Greywhispered.His

faceblazed.

Mica’shandsliddowntograbGrey’s.HepulledituntilGreyturnedaround.

MicaheldGrey’shandtohishardcockandthrustintothetouch.“Ifbyuncomfortableyoumeanhard
asarockandfuckinghornyashell.Don’tapologize.Justpromiseyou’lltakecareofitlater.”

GreyjerkedbackandlookedupintoMica’ssmilingeyes.

“Grey,Imeantwecan’tdothishere.Ifyouwanttodoitinalesspublicarena,

thenI’dbemorethanwilling.Iwilladmittobeingalittleconfused.I’mprettysureyousaidyouwere
straight.”

GreyreluctantlymovedhishandawayfromthetemptationofMica’scock.The

heatofitwaslikeabrandonhispalm.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutthat.Idon’tknowwhattodefine
myselfasrightnow.IdoknowthateverytimeIcametheselastcoupleofdays,Iwaspantingyour
name.”

Mica’seyeswentmoltenwithlust.“Damnit,whydoyouhavetosaysomething

likethatwhenIcan’tdoathingaboutit?”

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Sorry,”Greysaidwithasmilethatcontradictedthatsimpleword.

“Sureyouare.Ibetyou’vebeen—”

Simon’syellfromtheotherroominterruptedhim.“Hey,we’redonewiththe

potatoes.Getamoveon.I’mlosingweightaswespeak.”

Micalaughed.“Later?”

Greynodded.“Yeah,andwe’lltalkaboutthatnote.”

Hewouldrathertalkaboutthenotenow,butheknewMicawouldn’twantthe

restoftheguystoknowaboutit.

MICACONTEMPLATEDTHEmysterythatwasGrey.Notevenbeing

surroundedbyhiscoworkersinthecommonroomcoulddistractMicafrom

consideringthepossibilityofsomethinghappeningwithhim.Themanwashot.Mica’sthoughtsstayed
centeredaroundtheideaofbendingGreyoverandfuckinghim,

audiencebedamned.Itdidn’thelpthateverytimehecaughtGrey’sgaze,thoseamberdepths
practicallyglowedwithdesire.DesirethatMicacoulddonothingaboutanytimesoon.Hewasoffinan
hour,butGrey’sshifthadjuststarted.

Fuck,hedidn’tknowifhecouldwaitthatlong.ThewayGreyhadkissedhim,the

wayhe’dsuckedonhistongue,hadnearlymadeMicacreaminhisjeans.Theman

definitelyhadskillsinthekissingdepartment.

Greychosethatmomenttowinkathim.Whoknewtheseriousmanwassucha

tease?

TheonlydarkcloudoverthedaywasthatMicastillhadtodealwiththatnote.It

couldbeJefferiesorDarrel.Whilehedidn’tthinkeitherknewforcertainhewasgay,Greywasright
aboutrumorsbeingbroadcast.Hefrowned.Itwaspreciselyforthis

reasonhehadn’tcomeoutyet.

HeglancedupatGrey,whomouthed,What’swrong?

Micamouthedback,Talklater.

DravenSt.James

“Allright,guys.I’mtakingmychickentogo.Seeyoualltomorrow,”Micasaid.

“Hey,what’smadeinthefirehousestaysinthefirehouse,”Simonchimed.

“Ibucktradition.Itisn’tmyfaultthechickenwasn’tdonesooner,”Micasaidand

grabbedhisplate.

“Maybeifyouhadn’tbeenchattingGreyupearlier,hewouldhavefinishedit

beforenow,”Dalemuttered.

“Growup,”Michaelshoutedwithalaugh.“Haveagoodday,Mica.”

Micastrolledoutintothemiddaysun.CourtesyofGrey,hedidn’thavetoworry

aboutbuyinglunch.Ifhekepteatingmealslikethis,hewasgoingtogetfat.Granted,theotherguys
attackedthefoodlikewildanimals,sointheendhewasluckytogethisportion.

Hewalkedthroughtheparkinglot,gotintohistruck,andsattherestaringoutthewindow.Accusing
Greyearlierhadlefthimfeelingmorethanalittlefoolish.Themanmadehimfeelsodamnvulnerable
helostreason.Thatwasasgoodanexcuseasany

whyhe’dfoundhimselfflaying,thenpracticallyfuckingthemaninthelockerroom.Hewaslikea
hormone-driventeenager.Allhorny,confused,andwithlittletonocontroloverhowheresponded.

Helaidhisheadonthesteeringwheel.HewouldstopthinkingaboutGrey.At

leastlongenoughtogethome,butwhenthelightswentoff,heknewthefantasyof

Greywouldcomecrawlingintobedwithhim.

Ashestartedhistruckandturnedoutontothestreet,thepullGreyhadonhim

madehimyearntocirclebackaround.Withstrengthofwillheforcedhimselftorunhiserrands.His
cupboardswerebare,hislaundrywaspilingup,andhiskitchenand

bathroomhadseenmuchbetterdays.

Histimeoffwasfarfromexciting.Hemomentarilyconsideredgoingouttothe

barlaterthatnightbutquicklytossedthatthoughtaside.Theonlymanhewantedwasworkinganeight-
hourswingshift.WhichmeantGreywouldbehomeafter

eleven…notthatMicawaskeepingtrackoranything.Ohno.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Hemadeswiftworkofhisgroceryshoppingandtrudgedthroughthedoorofhis

smallhome.Grudginglyheperformedhischores.Thebiggestchallengeofhisdaywaskeepinghis
thoughtslassoedsotheywouldn’twanderintoGreyfantasylandand

distracthim.

Assoonashe’dfoldedhisbriefsandputthemaway,hecrashed.Thelastcouple

ofdayshadbeentoolongandtoofullofstress.Greywassomeonetolookforwardto,buthe’dhaveto
restupforthat.Withasmileonhisface,heputthenotetothebackofhismindanddriftedoff.

DravenSt.James

ChapterSix

ThesoundofglasssplinteringjoltedMicaawake.Hesprangoffhisbed,downthe

stairs,andrantohislivingroom.Hisbaywindowwasshattered,andalargerocklayonthefloor.What
thehell?Heputonhisshoesandcarefullynavigatedthroughtheshardsofglasstopickupthestone.It
hadanoterubber-bandedtoit.Themessagewasinthesamescrawlastheothernote.

Isaidtoleave,queer.Nexttimeitwon’tbejustarock.

Hefrowned.Hismindwentbackandforthastowhetherheshouldcallthepolice.

Heknewtherewasn’tmuchtheycoulddo,butmaybeheshouldatleastfileareport.

Thenagain,thelastthinghewantedtodowasdrawattentiontohimself.Thepoliceforcehadenough
casestodealwithwithouthavingtoinvestigateapiss-poorjobatharassment.He’dhandleitonhis
own.

Grey’sfaceflashedthroughhismindHelookedaroundatthedestructionofhis

frontroom.Greywouldlethimvent,evenifhedidn’twanttogetoverlyinvolvedinMica’smess.

Heglareddownathiswatch.Itwasthreeo’clockinthemorning.Greywouldbe

homebynow,ifheactuallywenthomeafterhisshift.Micarubbedhiseyesandranhisfingersthrough
hishair.Heneededtotalktosomeone.Hisfamilywouldfreak,eventhoughtheyknewhewasgay.He
didn’tneedtoworrythem.Beforehecouldtalk

himselfoutofit,hegrabbedthedirectoryoffirefightersanddialedGrey’snumber.

Hefidgetedasthephonerang.Onthefourthringhewasabouttohangupwhen

asleepy,huskyvoicerasped,“Hello?”

“Hi,Grey.It’sMica.Iknowit’slate,butIreallydidn’tknowwhoelsetocall.”

“Whathappened?”Greyasked.Hesoundedmuchmoreawakeandalotworried.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Someonethrewarockthroughmywindow.Ithadanothernotestrappedtoit.”

“Sonofabitch.Doyouwantmetocomeover?Oryoucancomeoverhere,”Grey

offered.

WiththecurrentthreatsMicadidn’texactlyfeelsafestayingathishouse.He

wouldprefertobesomewhereelseuntilhecalmeddownandcameupwithagame

plan.

“Ifyoudon’tmind,Icancomeoverthere.I’llbringthenotes.”

“Allright,I’lltextyoumyaddress.”Greythenwentontoasksoftly,“Areyou

okaytodrive?”

Mica’sheartshiftedandmelted.Hehadnevermetamanwhowasmore

passionateandgivingthanGreyhadshownhimselftobe.Hewasthekindofmanwho

woulddoanythingforsomeonehecaredabout,withoutquestion.Micareallywanted

tobelievehewasoneofthosepeople.

“Yeah,Ineedtocoverthewindow.ThenI’llbeover.Thanks.Ireallyappreciate

this.”

“Youdon’tneedtothankme.Iwouldhavebeenpissedifyouhadn’tcalledme.”

Micaheardboththesmileandmildannoyanceinthestatement.

“Yeah,yeah.I’llbethereintwenty.”

“Okay,besafe,”Greysaid.

MicahungupandfeltameasureofreliefthatGreyhadbeenthere.Hecouldn’t

suppressthefearabouthowattachedhewastothemanalready.Hisparentshadmet

andmarriedwithinsixmonths.Hebelievedlovecouldriseupimmediately.Hedidn’tknowifthatwas
whatitwas,orifhejustwantedGrey.

Hefoundapieceofplywoodinhisshedtocoverthewindowandsweptupthe

glass.Withtherestofthehousesecure,hegrabbedhisjacketandheadedoutthedoor.

TheknowledgethathewouldsoonbesafewithGreywasagreatrelief.Atthesame

DravenSt.James

timehecouldn’tquietthevoicethatwhisperedheneededtobecarefulaboutdraggingGreyintohis
mess.

Grey’shousewasareflectionoftheman.Itwasasmallcottagesurroundedbya

wildarrayofplants.Thewordssereneandpeacefulcametomind.Micaparkedhistruckalongthe
streetandwassurprisedtoseethatGreystoodoutlinedathisfrontdoor,waitingforhim.Micawalked
uptohimandtookinthelow-hangingpajamapantsand

tightblackT-shirt.Grey’shairwascuteandmessy.Hehadscruffonhisjawandsleepybedroomeyes.
AllthatsexyfocuswasonMica,anditwassopotentMica’stoescurled.

“Hey.”GreysmiledandsteppedbacktousherMicainside.

Micawantedtoleancloseandbreathetheothermanin.Helookedsowarmand

inviting.Micaclenchedhishandsaroundthenotestokeepfromreachingouttotakesomeofthat
comfortforhimself.

“Doyouwantsomecoffeeortea?”Greyoffered.

Micafollowedhimthroughasmalllivingroomandintoanopenkitchenand

diningarea.Alargewindowfacedthebackyardandhadaviewofthefullmoon

againstthenightsky.

HepeeredatGrey’sbarefeetandforsomeoddreasonfoundthemsexy.When

hadhegottenafootfetish?

“Coffeewouldbenice,”hesaidwhenherealizedhehadbeenstaringandhadn’t

saidawordsincehe’darrivedatthehouse.Heblameditonshock.Theshockofthevandalismofhis
homeandtheshockofseeingGreyallrelaxedandfuckable.

JusthavingGreynearbymadeMicafeelbetter.Hesetthenotesonthetableand

sat.Greyshuffledaround.Themanwasadorableandwouldprobablyhatetobe

viewedthatway.Itdenotedasmallstature,andthatdefinitelywasn’tGrey.Whenthecoffeewas
percolating,GreyambledovertoMica,butinsteadofsitting,hecrouchedandwrappedhisarmsaround
him.

GreyleanedbackbeforeMicacouldgetoverhissurpriseatthegesture.“I’mglad

youcalled.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

MicanearlymeltedfromthetendernessthatemanatedfromGrey.“I’mgladyou

answered.Thosearethenotes.”

GreysatoppositeMicaandpickedupthenotestoreviewthem.Hisjawtensed,

andhescowled.“Whatthefuck?”HepeeredupatMica,eyesfullofanger.“Areyou

anyclosertofiguringoutwhomightbedoingthis?”

Micabithislip.“Idon’tknowthatIcancrossJefferiesoffthelist.”

Greyputthenotesdownandsighed.“Yeah,IwishIcouldsayhewasn’ta

candidate.Anyoneelse?”

Micashrugged.“Therewasaguyattheotherfirehouse,Darrel,whocouldbea

realjerk.Hedidn’tevercomeoutandsayanythingaboutmysexualpreference,buthemadesureI
knewhedidn’tlikeortrustme.”

GreyplacedhishandoverMica’s.ThewarmtouchsenttinglesrighttoMica’s

dick.

“We’regoingtofigurethisout.Youtrustme,right?”

“Iwouldn’tbehereotherwise.”

Greychuckled.“Ah,sure,pointouttheobvious.Itakeityoudon’twantthepoliceinvolved?”heasked
inanoffhandfashion.

“That’sprettymuchagivenwiththecontentinthenotes.”

Thecoffeemakerbeeped,andGreywenttotakecareofit.MicawatchedasGrey

grabbedtwocupsandpouredthesteamingliquid.

“Creamorsugar?”

MicamovedawayfromthetabletostandbehindGrey.“Both.”

Hesteppedcloseruntiltherewasonlyaninchofspacebetweenthem.

“Howmuch?”Grey’svoicesoundedabitbreathless.

“Twoteaspoonsofsugar.”MicabreathedagainstGrey’sear.Hefeltaspikeof

elationwhenGreymadenomovetowardthesugar.

“Wouldyoujusttouchmealready?”Greyaskedinfrustration.

DravenSt.James

MicalovedthedesperationinGrey’svoice.Shiftinghisbody,hepressedhis

hardeningshaftagainstGrey’sass.Greystiffenedforamoment,thenmeltedagainsthim.

MicatrailedhishandsdownGrey’sarmsbeforehewhispered,“Touchyou

where?”HeplacedhishandsonGrey’stautstomach.Withhispinky,hetracedthe

edgeofGrey’spajamapantsandteasinglypushedintothem,onlytoretreat.

HegroanedwhenGreyrockedbackagainsthisdick.Itslidalongthecrackof

Grey’sassandpulsedwiththeviolentneedtobeburieddeep.DidGreyrealizewhatimageshisactions
evoked?

“Everywhere,”Greysaidinavoicethatvibratedwithdesire.

“That’stoobroad.Doyouwantmetostrokeyouuntilyoucome?Doyouwant

metokneeldownandsuckyourcock?Doyouwantmetofuckyou?”Micafelta

shudderworkthroughGrey’sbodyatthewhisperedsuggestions.

GreyclutchedoneofMica’shandsandplaceditonhisrock-hardshaft.“Let’sstarthere.”

MicanuzzledGreyandnippedhisneckashestrokedhisdick.“Likethat?”

“Yes.ThisisallI’vebeenthinkingaboutfordays,”Greyadmittedhoarsely.

Mica’sbodywasonfirewithneedforthisoneman.Hethrusthisrigidcock

againstGreyashesqueezedandstrokedGrey’sshaft.Greywaslongandthick.With

everyswipehefeltGreythrob.MicanibbledGrey’searashesnakedhishandinsideGrey’spajama
pants.ThetipofGrey’sshaftwasslickwithprecum.Micauseditto

lubricateandquickenhisstrokes.

Grey’sfirmbodypushedbackagainstMica’sasGreytriedtomotivateMicato

movefaster.MicasplayedhishandacrossGrey’stautstomachtokeephimenveloped

inMica’sbodyheat.

GreydrovehiscockroughlythoughthetightclaspofMica’shand.“Fuck,Mica,

I’msoclose.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Greywasgoingtodrivehimbatty.ThethickveinsalongGrey’scockpulsed.His

headfellbackagainstMica’sshoulderashisbodyarched.

GreyreachedaroundtodighisfingersintoMica’sthighs.Greyheldhimcloseso

thateverytimeMicapumpedhiships,GreyrockedagainstMica’scock.Sweatbroke

outonMica’sforeheadashefoughtnottocome.Hewouldn’tcomeagainlikethat.Hewantedtobe
insideGreywhenithappened,whetheritwasGrey’smouthorGrey’s

tightass.Heneededit.Hecravedit.

Grey’sthrustsbecameshorterasMicaconcentratedonthesensitivecrownof

Grey’sshaft.Micaswipedhisthumbroughlyoverthetenderclusterofnerves.

“Yes,fuck,Mica.Don’tstop.I’mcoming.”

Grey’sdickthrobbedinMica’shandasGreycamewithahoarseshout.“Fuck,

fuck,fuck.”StreamsofcumspurtedouttofountainoverMica’shand.GreytiltedhisheadonMica’s
shoulderandtracedhistonguealongMica’sjawline.

“Wow,”Greywhispered,shuddering.“ThatwaswaydifferentfromwhenIdo

it.”Helaughed,lowandhusky.

HeturnedaroundasMicadrewhishandawayfromGrey’scock.Micabrought

hishanduptohislipsandproceededtolickandsuckGrey’scumoff.Hecouldbecomeaddictedtothe
earthlymasculineflavor.Grey’sgazewasrivetedtotheaction.

“Youtasteamazing,baby,”MicamurmuredbeforeleaningintokissGrey.It

wasn’tatimidkiss.Itwasroughandcommanding.HethrusthistongueintoGrey’s

mouthandsharedthetartflavorofGrey’scum.HepumpedhiscockagainstGrey’s

sated,sensitivedick.GreymoanedbeneathMica’slipsasheslidhishandsuptorunthroughMica’s
hair.

Micadrewamereinchawaytowhisper,“Grey,whatdoyouwant?Idon’twant

torushyou.”Hehatedsayingthewords,buthewantedtogiveGreyanoutifhewashavingsecond
thoughtsnowthathewassatisfied.EveniftastingthesaltysweetnessofGrey’scumhadturnedMica
onevenmore.Hiswholebodyquiveredwithneed.Hell,if50

DravenSt.James

Greyweremoreexperienced,Micawouldalreadyhavehimbentoverthecountertop,

usingwhateverhecouldfindforlubetofuckhim.

Greybithislip.HisgazetraveleddownMica’sbody.Hetentativelyreachedout

topalmMica’serection.“Areyousurethatsteelpipeinyourpantswillfit?”HepeekedupatMica.
Althoughthewordswerehumorous,therewasanunderlyingthreadof

seriousness.

God,themanwastestinghispatience.GreycuppedandsqueezedMica’shard-on

throughbriefswetwithprecum.HefoundhimselfrockingintoGrey’stouchasthe

visualofpushinghiscockintotheclaspingheatofGrey’sbodyfilledhishead.

“Yeah,I’llfit.”MicaclosedhiseyesandgrittedhisteethasGreyslowlystroked.

Heopenedhiseyes,butGrey’sdidn’tmeethis.TheywerefocusedonMica’sprick.

“Damn.”Micapanted.

Greymaneuveredcloserashegentlysqueezedthetip.Theroughtextureofhis

jeansandtheknowledgethatitwasGreywhojackedhimoffhadMicaclosetothe

edge.

“IfIaskyoutostop,willyou?”Greyaskedtentatively.

“Yes.Nowcanwegotoyourbedroombeforeyoumakemecomewiththatsinful

handofyours?”Micapleaded.HecouldhardlywaittogetGreynakedandtoucheveryinchofhissexy
body.

Greyseemedreluctanttostophisplaying,buthegrabbedMica’shandandled

himbacktohisbedroom.

Micatookintheroom,butallhereallycaredaboutatthatmomentwasthelarge

bedthatdominatedthespace.Alltheotherflatsurfacescouldberevisited.

GreypulledhisT-shirtoverhisheadandblushedbrightpink.Theblushwasso

adorablethatMicaalmostmentionedit,buthesensedthatwouldjustdeepentheotherman’sshyness.
Besides,thesightofGrey’shard,tannedchestandnarrowwaisthad

Micaentranced.Itwasmoreintenselysensualthanhehadimagined.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Mica?”Greyaskeduncertainly.

Micarealizedhehadbeenstandingtherestaring.Hefeltlikeavirginallover

again.

HejerkedhisownT-shirtoverhisheadandpointedtothebed.“Takeoffyour

pantsandliedown,”hecommanded.Greyhadaskedhimifhewasdominant,and

MicarecognizedthatGreywasmorecomfortablewithhimrunningtheshow,atleast

thisfirsttime.

HeleeredasGreypushedhispajamapantsdowntostandnakedinfrontofhim.

Themanhadabeautifuldick.Theheadwasflushedredandslickwithdesire.Grey

followedMica’sordersandcrawledupontothebed.Micabitbackamoanatseeingtheotherman’sass
ondisplay.Itwasfirmwithdimplesoneitherside.Hewantedto

spreadthosecheeksandtracehistonguealongthetenderpuckerheknewhe’dfind

there.Hecravedtobeinsidesobad.Hekickedhisshoesoffandshovedhisjeansandbriefsdownatthe
sametime.HeloomedoverGreyasGreysettledonhisback.The

manlaybeforehim,afeasttoastarvingman.

Grey’sgazeagainlockedonMica’scock,whichjuttedoutlikeahomingbeacon

towardGrey.MicaclimbedontothebedandputafingerunderGrey’schin,urginghimtomeethis
eyes.“IpromiseIwon’tfuckyouuntilyoubegmeto.”

“Cockymuch?”Greyasked,oneeyebrowraised.

MicasoftlykissedGrey’sneck,thensuckedhardagainstthedelicateskinalong

Grey’scollarbone,markinghim.“Notcocky.Ijustknowhowtousemyequipmentand

thusknowhowtoworkyours.”

HelookedupatGrey’sface.Hedidnotwanttomissasingleresponse.Hewas

leveltoGrey’snipple;hesnakedhistongueouttoflickit.Grey’shipslurched,hiscocklikesteeland
readyforaction.MicasuckedonGrey’snipple,bitinggently,causingGrey’shipstojerk.

DravenSt.James

“Sensitivenipples.Ilikethat,”Micasaid,filingthatbitofinformationawayunderwaystodriveGrey
crazy.HemoveddownfartherandtracedhistonguearoundGrey’snavel.

Hewasimpatientandhornyashell,buthe’dgoslowly,evenifitkilledhim.With

strengthhedidnotknowhehad,hemeandereddownuntilhehoveredaboveGrey’s

hardshaft.Hismouthwateredashebentcloserandlickedthecrown.ThebittersweetflavorofGrey’s
precumcoatedhistongue.Greedyformore,hetookGrey’sshaftintohismouth.ThetasteofGrey’s
arousalcausedhiscocktotwitchandleak.Hesuckedandswirledhistonguearoundthetip,making
suretoflitagainstthesensitivespotbeneaththehead.

Greywatchedhimintently,hiseyesnarrowed.Hishandswereburieddeepin

Mica’shair,holdinghimtightlyinplaceashethrustintoMica’smouth.

“Fuck.”Grey’slegstensed.Heseemeddesperatetocontrolthedepthofhis

thrusts.

MicaputhishandsonGrey’shipsandtookhimdeeper.

“Yes,please,Mica,”Greybabbled.Micaflushedwithpridethathecouldreduce

Greytoincoherentsounds.

HeshiftedawaytoswipeafingeracrossthetipofGrey’scock.Withhisfinger

coatedinslickprecum,hepartedthewarmglobesofGrey’sassandtracedaroundthetightpinkhole.

Greyfroze,hiseyeswidening,buthiscockbecameevenharder.Itthrobbedas

Micaswallowedhimagain.Thebackofhisthroatworkedthedelicatenervesbeforehepulledback.He

flickedhistonguearoundtheheadofGrey’sshaftjustashepushedthetipofhisfingerintoGrey.God,
themanwassotight.Hegentlyworkedhisfinger

deeper,untilitwascompletelyburiedinside.GreypumpedhardagainstMica’sface,hishandsnearly
pullingMica’shairout.

“OhGod,fuck…”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Mica’scockpulsedasGreyfuckedhismouthandpressedbacktoimpalehimself

onMica’sfinger.MicaturnedhisfingeraroundandbrusheditoverGrey’sprostate.

Grey’sbodywentrigid,thenbucked.“Fuck,Mica.I’mgonna…”Hetriedtodrag

Mica’sheadawayinwarning.Micapulledoffandusedhishandtoformatightring

aroundthebaseofGrey’scockthatkeptGreyfromcoming.Hiscocklookedpainfullyswollen.It
wouldn’ttakemuchtosendhismanovertheedge.

Mica’scockwassohardithurt.Hereacheddownandsqueezedit.Hewantedto

savehisreleaseforwhenhewasinsideGrey.Heleanedhisheadback.Hischest

heavedashetriedtocatchhisbreath.

“Notyet.Youdon’tgettocomeyet,”Micarasped.HeblanketedGrey’sbody,

pinninghimtothebed.Grey’sdickbrushedthroughthehairsofMica’shappytrail.

“Damnit,youtease,”Greyshouted,hisfaceflushedwithannoyance.

MicawantedGreyfrantictocome.HerubbedhisdickalongthecreaseofGrey’s

ass.WitheverystrokehiscockslidoverGrey’ssensitivehole.

“Ineedsomelubeandacondom,baby.”

Greyreachedovertothedrawerofhisnightstandandfeltarounduntilhecame

upwithasmallbottleoflubeandacondom.Hesmiledbroadly.“Willyoufuckme

now?”heasked,hisvoiceraw.

“IsthatbeggingIhear?”Micagrinned,evenashemoanedandthrusthiscock

againstGreyagain.

“Notevenclose,”Greygroundout.

Withashakeofhishead,Micamovedontohisside.Hewrappedonehand

aroundGrey’spulsingcockandusedtheothertoagainthrustonefingerinsideGrey.

Grey’shipsarchedoffthebed.“More.”

“Begging?”Micaasked.HepulledhisfingersfromGrey’sclingingass,popped

thecaponthelube,andliberallycoatedhisfingers.HeneededGreymindless.He

didn’twantGreytofeelanymeasureoftrepidation.

DravenSt.James

GreyglareddownathimjustasMicacarefullypushedinasecondfinger.Mica

keptaleisurelypaceashestrokedGrey’scockandpumpedhisfingersintohim.He

addedathirdandshiftedthemaroundtograzethewalnut-sizedgland.Grey’ships

shotoffthemattress;hishandsgrippedthesheetsunderneathhim.

“Wantmetostop?”Micaasked,plasteringaferalgrinonhisfaceforeffect.

“No,damnit,”Greysnarled.

MicadrovehisfingersinatthesamerhythmheusedonGrey’sdick.Hetracedhis

tongueoverthecap.

“Yourassissotight.Iwanttofeelitclaspedaroundmydick.”Hisnostrilsflared.

Greyshiftedmindlessly.SoonMicawouldbebegginghim.Hisarousalhadhitthehighestpoint.The
sensationofbothGrey’spulsating,wetcockandthetightholehedesperatelywantedtofuckwas
killinghim.Heturnedslightlytorubhisdickagainstthebed.Damn,thatfeltsogood,butheneeded
more.HeneededGrey.

“Please,”Greywhimpered.

“Pleasewhat?”Micaaskedinavoicerawwithdesire.

“Fuckme.Iwanttofeelyourcockinmyass.”Grey’shandsslidupalongMica’s

shoulderstoclutchathim.HepulledatMicauntiltheywereface-to-face.“Iwantyouinsideme.”

Micashudderedandremovedhisfingers,settlinghishandsonGrey’sthighsto

pushthemapart.Risingtohisknees,hetoreopenthecondomandrolleditonhis

throbbingprick.Heappliedaliberalamountofslickandgrittedhisteethattheaddedsensationofhis
handglidingoverhispainfullysensitivedick.

HeplacedapillowunderGrey’shipstotiltthemup.

GreyspreadhislegsandranhisfingersthroughMica’shair.Micaslammedhis

lipstoGrey’s,thrustinghistongueinsideasheslowlypushedthetipofhiscockintothetightclaspof
Grey’sbody.Sweatbrokeoutonhisforeheadashedrovehiscockpasttheringofmuscle.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Grey’sbodystiffened,andhishandsdugintoMica’sbiceps.

“God.”MicagaspedagainstGrey’slips.“Areyouokay?”IfGreysaidno,Mica

wouldstop,nomatterhowdifficultitwas.

Inanswer,GreywrappedhislegsaroundMica’shipsandsqueezedtoforce

Mica’scockinfarther.MicatightenedhisholdonGrey’sthighsandcantedGrey’shipssothatwhenhe
moved,he’druboverGrey’sprostate.

“Ohfuck,baby.”MicabithislipasGreywentrigidbeneathhim.Thesensationof

Grey’snarrowhole,hotandclingingaroundhisshaft,broughthimtothebrink.He

triedtothinkofanythingbutcoming.

“PleasetellmeIcanmove,”heaskedhoarsely.

Grey’sbodyslowlyrelaxedagainsthis,andGreyrockedupalittle,causinghis

cocktoslideintotheroot.

“Ifyoudon’tmove,I’llkillyou.”Greypanted.“Yourcockfeelssohugeinsideme,buteverytimeyou
thrust,you…Justdon’tstop.”

MicaknewexactlywhatGreymeantandsurgedintohim,cuttingoffanymore

words.HetookGrey’shands,lacedtheirfingerstogether,andpressedthemtothe

mattressaboveGrey’shead.Themind-blowingsensationofbeingengulfedinclingingheatdrovehim
toburyhiscockdeeperintoGrey.

HedrapedhisbodyoverGrey’ssothatGrey’scockwassandwichedbetween

them.Witheachthrust,Grey’sdickglidedagainsttheirstomachs.ThedampsensationofGrey’sarousal
heightenedMica’slustuntilhecouldfeeltheshiveratthebaseofhisspine.

Hepoundedhishipsfaster,hisbreathcominginshortpants.Thetight,slickclaspofGrey’sbodyonhis
dickwasdrivinghiminsane.“Baby,Ineedyoutocome.”

“Mica,harder.Youfeelsogood.Ididn’tknowitwould…OhGod.”Grey’shands

tightenedaroundhis.Hishipsbuckedup,forcingMica’sdicktopumpdeeperintohistightass.Mica’s
jawclenchedashethrustfaster,desperate.

DravenSt.James

“Comewithme.”HebreathedagainstGrey’slips.

Grey’slegsclampedaroundMica’ships,causingincredibleheattosurround

Mica’scock.“I’mgonna…”

ThehotsplashofGrey’scumontheirstomachstriggeredMica’sorgasm.He

pumpedhishipsfuriouslyagainstGrey’s.Grey’sasspulsedaroundMica’sshaft.

Mica’sthrustsbecameerraticashiscumexplodeddeepinsideGrey.

“Ohfuck…”HisbrowfurrowedasheplungedhiscockallthewayintoGrey.

Grey’smusclesthrobbedaroundhisdick,drawingouttheintensepleasure.

MicacollapsedonGrey.HeburiedhisfaceinGrey’sneckandlaidsoftkisses

alongthetenderfleshashiscocksoftenedandslidout.Theybothmoaned.

“Can’tbreathe.”HefeltthevibrationsofGrey’ssilentlaugh.

HesmiledinsatisfactionasGreyunwrappedhislegsfromaroundMica’sand

flippedMicatohisback.Greyunlacedtheirfingersandreacheddowntopulloffthecondom,twisted
it,andtosseditintothegarbagecan.MicagrinnedupatGreyand

foldedhisarmsaroundhim.

Cumsquishedbetweentheirbellies,andhelaughed.“Messysexisgreatsex.”

Grey’sintenseambergazeheldhis.“Idon’tthinkI’veevercomesohard.”

MicastretchedouthishandtopushthesweatystrandsofGrey’shairbackand

tuggedhimdownforasoftkiss.

Greygroanedagainsthislipsbeforereluctantlydrawingawaytoglareatthe

clock.“Timeforashower,andthenIhavetogorunsomeerrandsbeforework.”

Micasighed.“Areyouallrightwiththis?”Truthbetoldhe’dhalfexpectedGrey

tobedisturbedbywhattheyhaddone.Afterall,themanhadneverbeenwithanotherman,asfarashe
knew.ButthewayGreystaredathim,hiseyessoftandinviting,putthatfeartorest.Whateverwas
betweenthemwasmorethanjustcuriosityaboutgay

sex.

Grey’sHiddenFire

GreyproppedhisheadonMica’schestsohecouldmeetMica’sgaze.“I’mfine,

Mica.Thiswasn’taboutbeinggayornotbeinggay.Itwasaboutyouandme.”

Micabreathedasighofrelief.HetracedhisfingertipalongGrey’sjawline.“You

areanamazingman.”

Greygrinned.“Anddon’tyouforgetit.Youcanstayaslongasyouwant.Just

lockupbeforeyouleave.”HenuzzledMica’sneck.“Nexttime,Igettofeelyourasswrappedaround
mycock.”

Micalaughed.Sotherewouldbeanexttime.

DravenSt.James

ChapterSeven

Greywalkedintothefirehouseafewhourslater,hismindajumble.Thenighthad

beensomuchmorethanhehadthoughtpossible.Hehadneverexperiencedthatkind

ofpassionandneedbefore.ThememoryofMicainsidehimmadehiscockpulse.Neverbeforeinhis
lifehadhethoughthe’dcravethesensationofanothermanfuckinghim.

NottomentionMica’sbodywouldfeelsohotandtightwrappedaroundhisdick.

HemightbeconfusedaboutwhatbeingwithMicameanttohissexuality,buthe

knewhewantedtobewithMica.Hell,hisbodyachedinthemostinterestingplaces,andevenwiththat,
hestillcouldn’twaittodoeverythingagain.

Heopenedhislockerandpulledouthisgear.Hejumpedwhentwohandssettled

onhishipsandpulledhimbackagainstahard,warmbody.HestiffenedbeforeMica’sscentofspice
andheatfilledhim,andheleanedbackagainsttheman.

“Iwishwewouldhavehadtimeformetofuckyouthismorning.ThenmaybeI

wouldn’tbesodamnhornyrightnow,”Micawhisperedinalazydrawl.Greybithisliptokeepfrom
groaningasMicapressedahardcockagainsthisass.

“Sorry,butdutycalled.”

MicaplacedsoftkissesalongGrey’sneckbeforelightlybitingthesensitiveskin.

“Youshouldhaveskippedtheerrandsandstayedinbed.”

“YouwerepassedoutwhenIgotback.Ileftagreatnote.”Greyhadlovedcoming

hometofindMicastillasleepinhisbed.He’dbeenmorethanalittletemptedtocrawlbackinnextto
him.Theteasingnotewasawaytogetevenwithhimforbeingso

fuckableevenwhilesleeping.

“Yeah,Isawthat.IespeciallylikedtheGoodmorning.You’rewelcometousemylubetotakecareof
thesexyhard-onIhadtoleavebehind.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Iwasjusttryingtobecourteous.”Greyshruggedandgavehimselfamentalhigh

fivethathecouldaffectMicasomuchwithsuchsimplewords.

“Sure,whatever.Iworeyouout.Admitit.Bigbadfirefighterhadnoenergyleft.”

MicaturnedGreyaroundandgrinnedbroadly.

“I’llshowyouworn-out,”GreysaidbeforehepressedhislipsagainstMica’s.

Mica’slipspartedonasoftmoanasGreythrusthistongueinside.Mica’shandsmovedaroundto
Grey’sassandpulledhimclosetogrindtheirhardcockstogether.GreydughisfingersintoMica’s
shoulders.

TheslammingoftheouterdoorcausedGreytojerkback.Henearlytoppledover

thebenchthatranthelengthofthelockerroom.“Shit.”

Micaimmediatelywenttohislocker,butnotbeforeGreycaughtaflashofhurt

thatmovedacrosshisface.

“Hey,boys,”Gavinsaidashewalkedintotheroom,runninghishandacrosshis

shavedscalp.“Itiswaytooearlyinthemorning.There’dbetterbesomecoffee,orheadsaregonna
roll.”

Greyclearedhisthroat.“Ijustgothere.”

“Allright,seeyouupthere.”Gavinsmiled,thenranupthestairs.Greyknew

frompastexperiencethatGavinwashopingtotakepossessionofanycoffeethatmightremainfromthe
graveyardshift.

MicaturnedsolemneyestoassessGrey.Greyfeltthatlooklikeapunchtothegut.

“Couldn’tmoveawayfastenough,huh?”Micaasked,hisvoicelowwithatinge

ofsadness.“Itisn’tlikeGavinwouldhavecaredifwewerestandingnexttoeachother.

Youdidn’tneedtojumpawaylikeyouwereonfire.”

“Whatdidyouexpect?Youdon’twantpeopletoknowyou’regayanyway.How

amIthebadguy?”Greyaskeddefensively.

Micaranhisfingersthroughhishair,agestureGreyknewwasasignofinternal

conflictandfrustration.“Idon’tknow.IguessIdidn’texpectittohurtbeingtreated60

DravenSt.James

likemytouchwastheplague.I’vealwayskeptemotionsoutofmysexlife.Withyouthat’shardtodo.”

“Idon’twantyoutofeellikethat.I’mjustatalossonhowtobehavearoundyou

now,”Greysaid,browfurrowed.

Hedidn’tknowifhecouldkeephishandsoffMicaduringworkhours.Every

timehesawtheman,allhewantedtodowastouchhim,kisshim,orbebentoverthenearestflat
surfacewhileMicapoundedintohisass.IftheemotionshefeltforMicaweregiventimetoget
stronger…well,therewasnowayhe’dbeabletokeepthema

secret.

“Maybeweshouldcoolitforawhile.”Thewordstastedlikevinegarinhismouth.

“Ican’t…Idon’tevenknow…Imean—”

“Don’tknowwhat?Ifyou’regay?”

“That’snotfair,”Greysaid,barelymanagingtokeeptheirritationoutofhisvoice.

“YouthinkI’mnotworriedaboutthissituation?Therewouldbeconsequencesfor

bothofusiftheyknew,”Micacountered.

“Doyoueverintendtobeout?”Greyasked.

“It’salwaysbeencomplicated.It’smoresonow.Ireallylikeyou.Ithinkyou’re

thefirstpersonIcouldseehavingsomethingmorethanamindlessfuckwith.Ihatehavingtoclockin
whenaffectionisokayandclockoutwhenwe’rearoundanyliving,breathingperson.”

Greydidn’tknowexactlyhowtorespondtothat.HedidcareaboutMica.Hell,

thewayhischesthurtrightnowmeanthecaredalot.Butwhatdidthatmean?

Firefightingwashislife.Eveniftheykeptitasecret,itwouldundoubtedlycomeoutintime.

“WhatamItoyou?Anexperiment?”Micaaskedsoftly.

“Wherethehellisthiscomingfrom?”Greyfeltcornered.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“You’reright.Ishouldn’texpectanythingfromyou.IknowI’mnotreadytocome

outtotheguystoday,butIwilleventually.”

“Butthen…”Grey’sheartfilledwithfear.“Peoplemight—”

“What?Seeyouspendingtimewithmeandthenconnectthedots?”

“Mica…”

“ThisiswhoIam.”Micashookhishead.“Ifyoufeellikethisfromjusttheideaofmecomingout,how
areyougoingtofeelwhenitactuallyhappens?Becauseitwill.Ifnottoday,thenatsomepointinthe
future.”

“Ican’ttellthefuture,”Greywhispered.Hewassofrustratedandconfused.He

didn’twanttoloseMica.“Whyareyousuddenlyputtingthisoutthere?”

“Maybebecauseofthenotes.IfIcomeout,theylosetheirpower.Ormaybeit’s

becauseofyou.I’veneverlikedhidingwhoIam.Idon’twantarelationshipwith

someonewhereIfeellikewe’resharingaclosetfullofdirtysecrets.”Micaturnedonhisheeltoleave,
onlytobestoppedbythecreakingoftheouterdoor.

“Well,whatdowehavehere?”

GreylookedatthedoorandwasmetbyJefferies’sglare.Hisfaceborethefading

yellow-and-greenbruiseasevidenceofGrey’spunch.

Jefferieswasn’talone.Hisson,Daniel,stoodnexttohim,anequallymutinous

expressiononhisface.DanielwasnearlyastallasJefferies,andhiseyeswerenarrowedandfocusedon
Mica.

“Ifitisn’tthefagandhisprotector,”Jefferiessneered.“Whatdoeshegiveyouforyourservices,
Grey?”

“Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?”Grey’sbodytensed,andhishandsclenched

intofists.

“JustcomingtopickupsomethingsIforgotandtalktoMichael.PlusDannyhere

wascuriousaboutthehomothatfuckedwithme,”Jefferiessnarled.

DravenSt.James

“Fuckedwithyou?Thereisnotenoughmoneyintheworldformetodothat,”

Micastated.Greyhadtobitehisliptokeepfromsmiling.

Jefferiesmutteredmorevileslursunderhisbreath.“Danny,stayherewhileIgo

haveachatwithMichael.”

GreywaitedwithMica,notwantingtoleaveDanielalonewithhim.Theguy’s

expressioncouldmeltiron.Greyhadneverseenhatreduntilthatmoment.

“Dadtoldmeallaboutyou.”DanielscowledatMica.“Whatyoudoisn’tright.

Beinggayissick.Youdon’tdeservetobehere.”

GreyshuffledalittleclosertoMica.Danielwastremblingwithrage.

DanieltookasteptowardMicaasJefferiesburstbackintotheroom.

“Youfucker,”Jefferiesscreamed.“Michaeljusttoldmemysuspension’s

permanent.”

“Thatisn’tonme,”Micasaid.

Grey’sbodytensed.JefferieswouldhavenothingtolosebyattackingMicanow.

“Itsureasshitis,”Jefferiessnapped.“Ifyou’djuststicktoyourownkind,I’dstillhaveajob.Youall
wanttobebabied.Abunchoffairies.”

Jefferiesturnedonhisbootandstalkedtowardtheexit.“Danny,let’sgo.”

Greystaredafterthemandwasn’tsurprisedwhenDanielturnedtoglareatMica,

hiseyesangryslits,beforehefollowedhisdadoutthedoor.

Mica’sshouldersslumped,andapainedexpressionclaimedhisface.

“Idon’tlikehiding,butIknowthatwouldbethereactionIwouldcomeup

againstwithsomeoftheguys.Obviouslyhidingisn’tdoingawholelotofgood.Whatwouldyouhave
medo?”hewhisperedbeforewalkingoutoftheroom.

Greystoodstunned.Howwashesupposedtochangehisentireworldviewina

day?Itwasonethingtodiscoveryouwantedanotherman.Notjustanyman,butMica.

Yetitwassomethingelseentirelytoannouncethatattractiontotheworld.MicahadGrey’sHiddenFire

hadhiswholelifetoprocessthathewasgay.Greyhadonlyhadalittleoveraweektoworkthroughhis
desiresandwhattheconsequencesofactingonthemwouldbe.

MICAFELTNUMBashewentthroughthemotionsoffixinghiscoffeeand

pretendedtolistentothemenaroundhim.Heknewhehadputtoomuchpressureon

Grey.Hehadn’tappliedanyrealthoughttocomingoutuntilGreyhadpractically

fallenonhisasstogetawayfromhim.Inthatmoment,Micahadfeltdirty.Hehadn’texperienced
shameoverhisfeelingstowardmensincehewasfifteenyearsold.That

wasbeforehetoldhisparentsandtheyexplainedtherewasnothingwrongwithhim

andtheywouldlovehimnomatterwhat.

Bykeepingpiecesofhimselfasecret,hewasnotbeingfairtothosearoundhim.

Hehadn’treallybotheredtomakefriendsoutoffearthattheywouldouthim.Grey

madehimwanttoliveafullerlife.

“Hello?”TaberwavedhishandinfrontofMica’sface.“Anyonehome?”

Micabattedhishandaway.“Yeah,yeah,yeah.What?”

“Justwantedtoknowifyouwantedsomethingtoeat.We’resendingSimonona

doughnutrun.”

“Sure,whateverisfine.”Micatriedtosmileandhopeditpassedmuster.

“Ah,sweet.Youpitchingin?”Simonlookedoptimistic.Themanmightbesmall,

buthecouldeatlikeahorse.Themorepeoplewhochippedin,themoredoughnutsforSimontoeat.

“DependsonhowmanydoughnutsI’llgetversuswhatSimonintendstoeat.”

Micachuckled.Hewantedthiscamaraderie.Hejustwanteditwiththeabilitytobe

honestaboutallaspectsofwhohewas.

“Oh,fortheloveofGod.Idon’teatthatmuch,”Simonwailed.

DravenSt.James

“I’llchipin,justtogetSimontoshutup,andwithanyluckthesquirtwillgain

someweight.”MicaduckedwhenashoeflewpasthisheadtolandnexttoGrey’sfootashestrolled
intotheroom.

“Whatever,yougiant,”Simongrumbled.

“Hey,Grey.Weneeddoughnutmoney,”Dalesaid.

“Sure,I’llcontributetotheFattenUpSimonFoundation.”Greysmirked.

“Youallsuck.”Simonglaredateachofthem.

“I’mprettysureI’malwaysonthereceivingendofthesucking,”Daleinterjected

fromhispositiononthecouchinfrontoftheTV.

“WhyisiteverytimeIcomeouthere,youguysareembroiledinaperverse

conversation?”Michaelaskedashesteppedoutofhisoffice.Helookedexhausted.

MicaknewMichaelhadtakenalotofheatforJefferies’ssuspensionandforGrey’s

write-up.Hell,Michaelhimselfwasbeingreviewedbecauseoftheexplosiveon-site

situation.MicahadgonetothefirechieftomakeastatementandletitbeknownthatMichael’sability
toleadthecompanyhadnothingtodowithwhathadtranspired.

“Hey,it’snotme.Simonistheonewiththefilthymind,”Dalecomplained.

“Projectingmuch,Dale?”Greymuttered.

“Don’tgetallpsychologicalonme,Grey,”Dalegroused.

“OneofyoujustgobuysomedoughnutsbeforeIbanthemagainforaweek,”

Michaeldemanded.

Micahadheardabouttheweekofhorror.Therehadbeenabiggrouchfestabout

thedoughnuts—whowaspickingthemup,whattheyweregetting,andwhowas

eatingmorethantheirshare.Michaelhadsuspended“doughnutprivileges”andmade

themeneatcarrotsandceleryinstead.Themanhadahardandtwistedsenseofjustice.

Mica’sgazefollowedGreyaroundtheroom.Greyseemedtobetryingtokeephis

distance.Mica’sheartclenched,andhefrowned.GettinginvolvedwithGreyhadn’t

beenthebestidea.Itwasjustsodamndifficultnottowantthedynamicman.

Grey’sHiddenFire

AlreadyhecouldseethatallGrey’sfriendstrustedhimanddependedonhim.

AfterGreyleftthismorning,Micahadwalkedaroundhislittlehouse.Greyhadshelvesandshelvesof
books.Thereweretheclassics,textbooks,andevensomeeroticnovels.

Hehadplantsinalmosteveryroom,andtheywerestillalive.Micahadablackthumb,sothatwasquite
impressive.

Greyalsohadphotosofhisparentsandhimplacedthroughouthishome.He

lookedalotlikehisfatherinthepictures.Howdevastatingitmusthavebeenforhimtohavelosthis
onlyfamily.Micawouldgladlyofferupsomeofhiscrazyrelatives.Therewasloveinthechaos.He
wantedtoseeGreyhappy.Hewoulddoprettymuch

anythingtohearGreylaugh.Theirrelationshipwouldbesomuchlesscomplicatediftheydidn’twork

togetherorsharethesameanatomy.

Greymethisgaze,andMicawassatisfiedtoseeanequalamountofconfusion

coloringhisambereyes.ThatMica’sbodyhardenedfromthatsimplelookpissedhim

offslightly.GreyalreadyhadmorecontroloverMicathananyonehadbeforehim.

AfterknowingwhatGrey’sfirmbodyfeltlikewhenpressedagainsthis,hecouldn’t

erasetheexperience.Ifhewashonestwithhimself,hedidn’twantto.Ifanything,hewantedmore.

Itwasgoingtobealong-assday.

DravenSt.James

ChapterEight

Grey’spalmsweresweatyashestoodinfrontofMica’sfrontdoor.Assoonas

Greywasoffwork,hehadn’tbeenabletokeephimselfawayfromgoingtoseeMica.

Thedayhadbeenatortureofepicproportions.Acombinationoffearandguilthad

swirledinhisgut—fearofbeingdiscoveredbyhisfriendsandcoworkers,fearoftheirresponsetowhat
hefeltforMica,andguiltoverthehurthe’dseeninMica’sdarkeyes.

Nottomentiontheundercurrentofdesirethathadbeenpresentthewholedamntime.

HehadbeensemihardallshiftbecauseofMica’scovertglances.Morethanoncehe’dconsidered
runningtotheshowerroomandjackingoffthewayhehadseenMicado

thatfirstday.

Hetookadeepbreathandknockedonthedoor.It’dbeeneasyenoughtoget

Mica’saddressfromMichael.Thefrontbaywindowwasstillboardedupfromtherockincident,sohe
couldn’tseeinside.ButheknewMicawashome,becausehistruckwasparkedinfrontofthehouse.He
shiftednervouslyfromfoottofootbeforeMicafinallyappearedinthedoorway.

Grey’spulsejumped,andheswallowednervously.Mica’shairwasdamp,the

darkstrandscurlingaroundhisears.Hischestwasallbronzed,sculptedmusclesondisplay.Grey
wantedtotracehistonguealongeachofthosegrooves.Mica’ssweats

hunglow,highlightinghisslenderhipsandtonedabs.

“Grey?”Micaasked.Greyflushedatbeingcaughtpracticallydroolingoverthe

man.“Areyouokay?”

JusthearingMica’svoicemadeGrey’sworldfeelright.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“CanIcomein?”Greyasked.Hewasmorethanalittleuncertainofthewelcome

hewouldreceive.HeneededtotryandsortouttheanswertoMica’ssoftlyspoken

questionatthefirehouse.

“Areyousurethat’swhatyouwant?”Micaasked.Therewashurtbeneathhis

words.

“Please?”

Micasteppedback,andGreywalkedthroughthedoor.

“Niceplace,”Greycommented,wringinghishands.Nowthathewashere,he

didn’tknowhowtovoicewhathewasfeeling.Hell,hewasamanwhohadalmostno

experiencewithanythingbeyondthephysicalaspectsofarelationship.Allheknewwasthathewanted
toerasethepainhecouldseeshadowingMica’seyes.

MicashutthedoorbehindGreyandstoodthere,handsonhiships.“Well?”

“I’msorry,”hesaid,knowingthewordswouldn’tbeenough.“I’msolostinall

this,butIneedyoutoknowIwanttofigureoutawaytomakeitwork.”Hemovedtostandinfrontof
Mica.

Micarefusedtomeethisgaze,insteadlookinganywherebutathim.“Whatdoes

thatmean?”

“Before,youaskedmewhatIwouldhaveyoudo.Iwantyoutoletmefollow

yourlead.Wheneveryouwanttocomeout,I’llsupportyou.Icanbethereforyou,”

Greywhispered.Thewordsmadehischestconstrictwithfear.Hewouldbetherefor

Mica,butitterrifiedhim.HeknewthebiggestmistakehecouldmakewouldbetogiveuponMica
overthefearoftheunknown.

“Bethereformeaswhat?Asacoworker?Asafriend?Asalover?”Micaasked

hoarsely.

GreyreachedouttotentativelyplacehishandonMica’sface.HeturnedMica’s

headtourgetheothermantomeethisgaze.“Allofthem.Ifthat’swhatyouwant.”

DravenSt.James

Hewasn’tsurprisedtoseethelookofshockthatspreadacrossMica’sface.He

pushedforward.“I’mnotashamedofwhat’sbetweenus.I’mnotexactlysurewhat

we’redoing,butIknowIwanttoseewherethingsgo.Ican’tsaythatI’mnotstillalittleconfused
aboutyouandme,butIknowthattheideaofnotbeingwithyou…

Well…Ijustdon’twanttogothere.”

MicatiltedhisheadintoGrey’stouchandwhispered,“Idon’tknowifIcanask

thatmuchofyou.”

Grey’sbreathfrozeinhischest.

“No,listentome.Idoplanoncomingout.I’mtiredofallthehidingandsecrecy.Iwouldappreciate
yourfriendshipandsupport,butthemoreIthoughtaboutwhatI

wasaskingofyouearlier,themoreIsawhowunfairitwas.”DarkpaincloudedMica’sgazeashelaid
thosewordsbare.

“Ah,baby.Letmedecidewhat’sfairandwhatisn’t.”

“Still,don’tgetmewrong.Idowanttocontinuetoseeyou,butthatcanstay

betweenusifyou’dlike.”

“Areyousayingthatbecauseyou’reafraidI’llgiveyouanultimatum?Stayinthe

closetandwecanbetogether,orleavetheclosetandstopseeingme?Iwouldn’tdothat,”Greysaid
whilerunninghisthumbacrossMica’sfullbottomlip.“Ithinkifwe’regoingtodothis,weneedtodo
thisalltheway.”

“Doyouknowwhatthatwouldmeanforyou?”MicapulledawayfromGreyto

paceacrossthelivingroom.“Somepeoplewillbecrueltoyouorwilltreatyou

differently.YousawthatwithJefferies.”

“Ihavenofamily.Mylifeismyjob,andIdoitwell.Anyonewouldbehard-

pressedtooustmefrommypositionifIdecidetoshovemydickinaman,”Greysaid.

HisfrustrationboiledupatMica’scontinuedattemptstopushhimawaynowthathe’dgottenonboard
withthewholething.Menwerejustascontraryaswomen.

“IknowtherearemenlikeJefferiesoutthere,buttheydon’tneedareasontobe

jackasses,”Greypersisted.“Theyjustarewhotheyare.Ialsoknowthatyou’retryingtoGrey’sHidden
Fire

protectmenow.Stopit.I’veansweredyourquestion.Nowyouhavetomanupand

decideifit’sreallywhatyouwant…beingwithme.”

HestalkedovertoMicaandstoodnosetonosewithhim.“Tellmeyoudon’twant

me.Tellmethatyoudon’tthinkaboutme.Tellmethatyoudidn’tlovefuckingme,”hechallengedas
hereacheddowntopresshishandoverMica’shardcock.“Butdon’tlietome.EverytimeI’minthe
roomwithyou,Igethard.EverytimeIbreathyouin,allIcanthinkaboutiswhatitwouldbeliketo
suckyourcock,tasteyourcum.EverytimeIhearyourvoice,Ican’tthinkofanythingbesidesthe
growlingnoisesyoumakewhenyou’reclosetocoming.”

HestrokedMica’sstiffeningshaftthroughMica’ssweats.Hefeltarushof

satisfactionwhenMica’shipsthrustforward.“Tellmethatyoudon’twanttowakeuptomesucking
yourdick.”

Mica’sAdam’sapplebobbedasheswallowed.“YouknowthatIwantyou,damn

it,”herasped.

“Thenlet’sfigurethisout,becausewhilethesexismind-blowing,Iknowthat

thereissomuchmoretoallthis.Iwouldn’tbehereiftherewasn’t.”

MicathreadedhisfingersthroughGrey’shairandputhisforeheadagainstGrey’s.

“Wedon’thavetohaveourgayprideparadetomorrow.Ijustwanttoknowitisa

possibilityinthefuture.Wecankeepthetouchinginthesleepingquarters,”hesaid,hiseyebrows
wiggling.“AtleastuntilIcanfigurethisout.TalktoMichael.”Herubbedhisroughcheekagainst
Grey’s.“Whenyoupushedmeaway,itwaslikeyouweresaying

whatwedidwasamistake.Iknowthatdoesn’tmakesense.Itwasirrational.I’msorryforthat.”

GreytiltedhisheadasMica’slipstraveleddownalonghisneck.“Yousoundlike

awoman.Dowepainteachother’stoenailsnow?”

MicacoveredGrey’shandoverhisdickandsqueezed.“That’sacockyou’re

stroking.Iamnotawoman.”

DravenSt.James

“Oh,Iknow,andIunderstandwhatyou’resaying.Ithinkweshouldseewhere

thiscouldgo.Ireallycareaboutyou.”

“Nowwho’sthewoman?”MicanippedGrey’sneck.

“Fuckyou.”Greylaughed,rollinghiseyes.

“Thatcanbearranged,”Micasaid.Hisgazewasheavywithdesire.

MicawovehisfingerswithGrey’sanddraggedhimupthestairsanddownthe

hallwaytohisbedroom.ItwasdominatedbyahugeCaliforniakingbedandpretty

muchnothingelse.

MicapulledGreyintohisarmsasheshutthedoor.“Iwantyoutofuckme,”he

whispered.

“Areyousureaboutthat?”GreyaskedasheconsideredMica.Whilehe’dnever

hadhiscockinaman’sass,he’dhadanalsexatimeortwowithwomen.Hewantedtomakeitgoodfor
Mica.

MicaglancedatGreythroughthedarkfringeofhislashes,andablushstoleover

hisfeatures.“I’ve…well…I’venever…”hestuttered,moreandmoreflustered.

Grey’seyebrowsroseasherealizedwhatMicawastryingtotellhim.“You’ve

neverbeenthebottombefore?”

Mica’schocolate-browneyesfilledwithalevelofshynessthatGreywouldnot

havethoughtpossibleinthebig,strongman.

“I’venevertrustedanyoneenoughtoallowit.”Itwasastatementthatspoke

volumesaboutthedepthofMica’semotionsforhimandcementedGrey’scertaintythathehadmade

therightchoiceindecidingtostaywithMica.

“Areyousure?”Hedidn’twantMicatodosomethingjustbecauseGreywanted

it.Butdamnifhedidn’twantit.

“Godyes.”Micalaughed.“Nowhurryupandgetnaked.”

GreyremovedhisT-shirtandkickedoffhisshoes.“Howisitthatyouwantmeto

topyou,butyou’restilltheonebeingallbossy?”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Micastood,completelynakedalready,andsaid,“Because,toporbottom,I’mthe

oneincontrol.”HewinkedatGrey,andGreyflushedwiththeknowledgethatthatwastrueanditwas
howhelikedit.

WithnarrowedeyeshewatchedMicamovearoundtheroom.Histall,muscular

bodydrewGrey’sattentionlikenoone’severhadbefore.Mica’scockjuttedoutandappearedalmost
painfulinitsarousedstate.Grey’scockgaveanansweringtwitchashestrippedoutofhispantsand
briefs.

MicaplacedlubeandacondomwithineasyreachandtookholdofGrey’shandto

jerkhimdownontothebed.Micarolledsohewasontopandsmiled.“Iwillrelinquishmyposition,for
themoment,”hewhisperedsoftlyinGrey’sear.“Nowfuckme.”

Greywatched,amazed,asthispowerfulmanstretchedoutonhisback,

submittingtohim.Damn,hewasbeautiful.GreywrappedhisfingersaroundMica’s

rigidcock.Itwaslikecaressingasteelbarcoveredinwetsilk.

Mica’sbreathcaught,andhishipsthrustupunderGrey.“Don’ttease.”

GreymovedtositbetweenMica’slegsandleaneddowntoswipehistongue

acrosstheheadofMica’sshaft.Mica’sprecumwasmoresweetthanbitter.Greysoughtmoreofthe
tastebypressinghistongueagainsttheslitatthecrownofMica’scockandmilkinganotherdropof
liquidout.Mica’sfingersdugintohisshoulders,leavingamark.

HecarefullysuckedthetipofMica’sdick,afraidofscrapinghisteethonthe

sensitiveskin.WherewastheBlowjobsforDummiesbookwhenheneededit?Micawasn’t
complaining,though.HetangledhisfingersinGrey’shairandheldGrey’sheadcaptiveashetook

shallowthrustsintoGrey’smouth.

“Grey,please.”

GreyreleasedMica’scockandreachedforthelube.Hepouredasmallamounton

hisfingerslikehe’dseenMicado.HelookeduptocatchMica’sheatedgaze.Itwasfuckingfantasticto
knowthatthismanwantedhimthatmuch.

“Doit,”Micarasped.HisdesirebolsteredGrey’sconfidence.

DravenSt.James

GreyseparatedtheroundglobesofMica’sasstorevealthetenderrosebud.He

tracedaslickfingeraroundthewrinkledentrancebeforeheslowlybreachedMica’sass.

Themanspreadhisthighsmore,hisfeetflatonthemattressashearchedintoGrey’stouch.

“More,”Micagasped.

Greywassohardhewasgrindinghisteethtoholdinhisfrustration.He’dnever

feltanythingastightasMica’sass.Themusclesclenchedaroundhisfingerlikeavise.

Hiscockpulsed.

Headdedmorelubeandpushedasecondfingerinside.Hecrookedhisfingers

likeMicahaddonewithhimandgrazedMica’ssensitivegland.

“Fuck.”Mica’shipsrocketedanddroveGrey’sfingersdeeper.Greywatched

Mica’scockbob.Dropsofprecumglistenedonthetipofhisshafttorolldownthesides.

Grey’scockwasinasimilarstate.

“Don’tstop,damnit.”Micagrowled.

Greythrustinathirdfinger.Micawentrigid,andGreystartedfuckinghimwith

them.HeleaneddowntotakeMica’scockinhismouthagain.Heswirledhistongue

around,gatheringupallthedropletsofarousalthatleakedfromtheslitatthehead.Hemoaned.

“Please,fuckme,”Micasaid,voicethickwithneed.

Greysatup,reluctanttostopplaying,buthewaspracticallyvibratingwiththe

desiretoslamintoMica’stightass.Hegentlypulledouthisfingers.“Onyourhandsandknees,”he
commandedinaroughvoice.

Micaquicklyflippedoverontoallfoursandpeeredoverhisshoulder.“Likewhat

yousee?”Heraisedhiseyebrowsandshookhisass.

GreyslidhishandalongMica’sflankandthenmovedtokneelbehindhim.“Hell

yeah.”Hebreathedraggedly.

Grey’sHiddenFire

Hesnaggedthecondomoffthebed,toreitopen,androlleditdownhisrock-hard

shaft.Henearlycamefromthatsmallamountofpressure.Fuck,pleasejustletmelastlongenoughto
actuallygetinside.

Heslatheredthecondominlube,keepinghistoucheslight,andmovedtoposition

theheadofhiscockatMica’spuckeredbackentrance.“Baby,youlooksohotright

now.”

HesteadilypushedthetipofhisdickpasttheringofmuscleandintoMica’sslickheat.Micaarchedup
intoGrey’sgradualpenetration.

“Mica,talktome.”

“Keepgoing,”Micaresponded.

Greygrittedhisteethashefedhiscockslowly,inchbyinch,intoMica’shungry

holeuntilhewasenvelopedbyMica’sclingingpassage.

“Holyshit,”hegrunted.ThemusclesofMica’sassrippledandclenchedhisshaft.

HedrovehiscockintoMicaandfelttheothermantenseandbuckbackagainsthim.

“Rightthere,huh?”Heknewhe’dgrazedMica’sprostateandcontinuedtodrive

hiscockinatthesameangle.Theslick,constrictingfrictionofMica’sasswasintense,andsoonhe
foundhimselfpoundingintohim.HegrippedMica’shipstoholdhimin

placeashethrusthardandfastintothetightclaspofhisass.

“Grey,fuck.I’mclose.Please…touchmycock.”

HeletgoofMica’shiptoreachdownandwraphisfingersaroundMica’shard

member.Thetensionbuiltinsidehimwitheachgaspingbreathandbrutalthrust.

TheentirelengthofhisbodypressedagainstMica’sasherammedintohim.He

sankhisteethintothefleshyspacewhereneckmetshoulderbeforehejerkedawayandgroundout,
“Comeon,baby.Comeforme.Iwanttofeelyourasssqueezingmycock.”

“OhGod…I’m…”Mica’scockpulsedinGrey’shandashecame.Hiscum

releasedinwarmspurts.HisorgasmcausedthemusclesofhisasstotrembleandclamparoundGrey’s
dick.

DravenSt.James

“Fuck.”Greypantedashisthrustsbecameerratic,andhiscockerupteddeep

insideMica,releasingstreamsofcumintothecondom.

Mica’sarmscollapsed,andGreygroanedandpulledawaybrieflytodisposeof

thecondombeforekissingalongMica’sspine.

“Damn,ifI’dhaveknownitfeltlikethat,wewouldhavebeenfuckingthefirst

timeIcaughtyouintheshowers,”GreysaidandsmiledagainstMica’sback.

Micaflippedhimover,andGreycursedloudlyashewaspressedintothewet

spotonthebed.

“Topgetsthewetspot,”Micasaidwithalaugh.

Greysnuggled—yes,snuggled—againstMica.He’dsleepanywhereifitmeanthecouldhavemoments
likethis.Thelastthoughtthatwentthroughhisheadbeforesleepclaimedhimwas,Notsostraightafter
all.

Grey’sHiddenFire

ChapterNine

Micawokeuptothesensationofbeingsurroundedbywarmthandcomfort.A

handstrokedhischest,andhefeltsoftpuffsofbreathagainsthisleftnipple.Grey’slegwasthrown
overhisthighsandrubbedteasinglyagainstMica’scock.Eveninsleep,

Greycouldturnhimon.

MicanuzzledthetopofGrey’shead.“Babe,Ineedtogogetussomebreakfast.

Myfridgeisbeyondbareofbreakfastfoods.”

“Ilikeyoubare,”Greysaidinahuskyvoice.

“Oh,Iknow.Youdemonstratedthatquiteafewtimeslastnight.”

Greylaughed.“Ididn’thearyoucomplainingovermuch.”Hetracedhisfingertip

downaroundMica’snavel.

MicagrowledandsnaggedGrey’shand.“Behave.”Hechuckled.“I’llberight

backwithfreshcoffeeandbagels.”HejumpedoutofbedtoescapethedistractionofGrey’scurious
hands.

Greyhuffed.MicafeltthecaressofGrey’sgazeashepulledonapairofjeansandaT-shirt.Greywasa
fine-lookingman.HislongtanbodywasstretchedoutonMica’sbed,alazygrincurvedacrosshislips.
Hishairwasmussed,andhisambereyesweresleepywithpassion.

Micaglareddownathim.“Tease.JustyouwaituntilIgetback.”

Greyturnedoverontohisstomach.Theblanketshiftedwithhim,givingMicathe

fantasticviewofGrey’smuscledbackandhistightass.Mica’scockjumpedbehindtheflyofhisjeans.
HeleanedforwardandslappedGrey’sass,satisfiedtoseeared

handprintbloomonthetanskin.

“Hey,”Greymuttered.“Who’stheteasenow?”

DravenSt.James

Micawinked.“I’llberightback.Youstaythereandkeepthebedwarm.”

“Yes,sir.”

Micasaunteredoutofhishousehappierthanhecouldeverrememberbeing.

****

Micaheadedtowardhome.Thecafédowntheroadhadthebestcoffeeinthecity,

exceptforGrey’s.Ithadopenedupsixmonthsago,andnowMicacouldbarelystartadaywithout
stoppingin.

Hisheartfrozeasthefamiliarscentofashflittedaboutintheair.Onthehorizonatrailofsmoke
appeared.

Shit.Afireinthisarea,withthehousessoclosetogether,couldbecatastrophic.

Hetossedawayhiscoffeeandbagelsandtookoffrunningtowardthesmoke.He

pulledouthiscellashewent,anddialed911.Healmostdroppedhisphonewhenhe

sawwherethesmokewascomingfrom.Hishousewasonfire.

“ThisisMicaCruz.There’sahousefireat345CozartStreet.I’monthesceneand

goingin,sohurryyourasses!”Heskiddedtoahaltinfrontofhishouse.Thesmokebillowedout,thick
andominous.

Ayoungmanwasrunningoutfromthesideofthehouse,carryingaredjugwith

him.Hemadehiswaytowardabikethatwaslaidonthelawn,abandannawrapped

aroundhisface.

“Oh,hellno,youlittleshit.”Micastartedafterhim.

Theyoungmanturnedtolookathim.Hiseyeswentwideinshock.Mica

descendedonhimandgrabbedthefrontofhisshirt,forcinghimtostandonhistiptoes.

Micashookhimwithsuppressedrageashesnarled,“IsGreystillinside?”He

rippedthebandannaofftheguy’sface.

Holyfuck,itwasJefferies’sson,Daniel.

“Isawyouleave.Someoneelsewasinside?”Danielasked,hisfacebecoming

visiblypaler.“Itwasjustsupposedtoscareyou.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Micashovedtheguyasideandrantowardthehouse.Heopenedthedoor,and

smokespilledout.Visibilitywasprettymuchnil,butheknewtheway.Whythehellwasn’tGreyout
yet?

Micaprogressedtowardthestairsthatleduptohisroom.Hiseyeswere

beginningtoburnfromthesmoke,andhealreadyfelttheeffectsinhislungsof

inhalingwithouthismaskon.

Hesquintedatthestairsandtensed.Sonofabitch.HerantowhereGreywascrumpledatthebottomof
thestairs.

“Grey.”Hekneltdownandlightlytouchedhisface.“Allright,babe.Igotyou.”

HecarefullypickedGreyup.Theflameswereeatingtheirwaythroughtheback

ofthehouse.Thescentofcharredwoodfilteredthroughtheair.Theheatwassointensethatsweat
alreadycoveredhim.Hisshirtwasdrenchedandclungtohisskin.

Hecouldheartheloudsirensovertheroarofthefire.ThankGod.

HetuckedGreyincloserandadvancedtowardthedoor.Hecouldfeeltheraw

burnofhislungstryingtoprocessthesmoke-ladenair.HowlonghadGreybeen

exposed?Micastaggeredthroughtheentryway,nearlyplowingintoDaleandGavin,

fullydressedintheirgear.

“Dude,whatthefuck?”Gavinshouted.

Micapushedpastthem.Theyhadajobtodo,andhehadmoreimportantthings

tofocuson.Greyhadn’tmovedamusclesinceMicahadliftedhim.Micagazeddown

athimashestumbledunderGrey’sweighttogettothewaitingambulance.Therewasadeepgashon
Grey’sheadthatwasbleedingbadly.Mica’sblackshirtwasabsorbingtheblood,andhefeltamoment
offearthathecouldn’tseehowmuchhadalreadybledout.

HandsgraspedhisarmsandtriedtopryGreyawayfromhim.Hejerkedback.

“Hey,Mica,we’vegothim.”

DravenSt.James

HeneededtoreleaseGrey,buttheideaoflettingthewoundedmanoutofhis

sightwaspainful.Heshouldhavebeenatthehouse.

TheparamedicslaidGreyoutonastretcher.Helookedsopaleandbrokenonthat

sterilesurface.SimonandTaberranovertotheambulanceasanotherrigcamerollingup.

“Whathappened,Mica?”Simonasked.

“Danielfuckinglitmydamnhouseonfire,”Micasnapped.

“Noshit.Jefferies’sson?Oh,thisisjustmessedup,”Taberdeclared.

“IsGreyokay?”Michaelasked,hisgazegluedtotheproneman.Thefiremen

stoodnexttotheambulanceastheparamedicsstrappedGreyin.

“We’regoodtoroll,”aparamedicsaid.“We’llseeyouboyslater.”

“No,wait,”Micayelled.“I’mgoingwithyou.”

“Mica…”Michael’svoiceinterjected.

Therewerequestionsintheeyesofthefiremenaroundhim.Hecouldonly

imaginetheyrangedfromwhatGreywasdoingheretowhyMicawasactinglikea

bulldogprotectinghischewtoy.

“I’mgoing,Michael.”

“Letmego,”Michaelsaid.“I’llkeepyouguysinformed.”

“No.He’smine,”Micarepliedbluntly.Michaelsteppedback.Hislipsfrozeinan

Oshape.TaberandSimongasped,andthennothing.

“I’mgoing,”Micarepeated.

ThefiremensteppedbackasMicaclimbedintotheambulance.Thetwomedicshe

recognizedasDeaconandBastianhadanoxygenmaskonGreyandweretakinghis

vitals.Theyhadacompressonhisheadtostanchtheflowofblood.

“Howishe?”

Deaconmetandheldhisgaze.“He’sstable.We’reconcernedaboutthehead

wound.We’llknowmorewhenwecangetsomescansdone.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

“CanItouchhim?”Micaaskedonawhisper.

“Yes,”Deaconsaidinatonesaturatedwithsympathy.

MicacrouchednexttothegurneyandheldontoGrey’shand.Hisownhands

trembling,hereachedouttotracehisfingertipsalongGrey’sface.“Pleasedon’tleaveme.You’llnever
forgiveyourself.Withtheboysleftuptotheirowndevicesinthekitchen,wewouldn’tbefarbehind
you.”Hisvoicebrokeashefoughttokeephis

emotionsincheck.Hecouldbarelyholdbackthetearsthatwerethreateningto

overflowdownhischeeks.

“Iletthecatoutofthebag,babe.Youneedtowakeuptokickmyass.”He

smoothedGrey’shairback.HeglancedupatDeaconandremovedthemaskfora

secondtoplaceasoftkissonGrey’slipsbeforesnappingitbackinplace.

“Goodforyou,Mica.Grey’sagreatguy.”Deaconsmiled.“Granted,Ididn’tknow

hewasonourteam,butIdidn’tknowyouwereeither.”

MicagapedatDeacon.He’dbeenanidiot.Acompletemorontothinkhewasthe

onlyoneintheirfieldwhowasdealingwiththeperilsofbeinggay.Thatwouldbethefirstthinghesaid
toGrey,thatMicahadbeenwrong.“It’sagoodteamtoplayfor,butstayawayfrommyplayer.”He
castDeaconaslygrin.

“We’rehere,princesses,”Bastiansaidfromthefront.“Gorubsomegayoffonthe

malenursessoIcangetone.”

Micacouldn’thelpthelaughthaterupted.Yup,he’dbeenaself-centeredidiot.

DravenSt.James

ChapterTen

Whentheambulancepulledintothehospitalemergencybay,chaoserupted.As

muchasMicahatedtoseethedoctorwheelGreyaway,hehadnochoiceinthematter.

Hedidn’thavetherighttoanymedicalinformation.Hecollapsedontooneofthehardplasticseatsin
thewaitingroom.Theantisepticsmellofthespaceseemedinherentlylinkedtothefearoflovedones
hurtinganddyingwhilethehealthycoulddonothing.

Itwasthatscentofhelplessnessthatenvelopedhim.Thiswasallhisfault.Jefferies’ssonhadbeen
tryingtohurthim,andGreyhadgottenhurtintheprocess.

Evenwiththatknowledge,Micacouldn’tgivethemanup.Hewouldjusthaveto

bemorediligentinhisprotectionofhim.Oh,Greywouldhatethat.ButthinkingbackonfindingGrey
crumpledatthebottomofthosestairsnearlydestroyedhim.IfGreyhadn’tbeenbreathing,Micawould
havecurledupnexttohimratherthanfaceaworldwithouthiminit.Hismotherhadsaidwhenyou
foundtheoneyoursoulhadbeen

searchingfor,youknew.HewasinlovewithGrey.

Well,shit.

HecringedasherecalledhispredatoryshieldingofGreyfromtheotherfiremen.

TherewasnodoubtthemenknewexactlywhathisandGrey’srelationshipwas.He

wouldsoonhavetodealwiththerepercussionsofthatparticularconfession.

Hestaredatthefloorastimecreptby.Ithadbeenalmosttwohourssincethey’d

broughtGreyin.Thewaitingwassodifficult.Hehatedbeingstuckbetweenthehopethateverything
wouldbefineanddespairthatcamefromknowingitmightnotbe.

Alargeblackbootenteredhisfieldofvision,followedquicklybyanother.

“Mica?”

Grey’sHiddenFire

MicalookedupintoMichael’swarmblueeyesandtookashudderingbreath.

“Theywon’ttellmeanything.”

“I’mGrey’smedicalproxy.I’lltellyouwheneverIfindoutanything.”Michael

puthishandonMica’sshoulder.“Hewillbeokay.TheycaughtupwithDaniel.He

admittedtothefireandcoppedtosomeharassingnotes.”Hesmirked.“Granted,Ihadnoideawhat
theyweretalkingabout.Nexttime,letusknowwhat’sgoingon,okay?”

Micanodded.Hecouldn’ttalk,orthetenuousthreadhehadonhisemotions

wouldsnap.

“Mica,”Simonshoutedashewalkedintotheotherwisequietwaitingroom.

“Damn,man.Whatawaytostartthemorning,huh?”

TabersmackedSimonupsidethehead.“Dude,we’reinahospital.Bringthe

volumedown.”

“Nag,nag,nag.”Simonsnickered.

“Michael,Grey’sgoingtobeokay,right?”Taberasked,eyesfilledwithconcern.

HeleanedagainstthewallacrossfromMica.Hewasstillwearingsootfromthefire.

“I’mwaitingonwordofhowthingsaregoing,”Michaelsaid.

“He’llpullthrough,”Simonsaidinanattemptatlevity.“He’stoostubborn,and

hewouldfeeltooguiltytodie.Itwouldstartachainreactionasallofusstarveorsuccumbtofood
poisoning.”

TaberpushedawayfromthewallandsatnexttoMica.HebumpedMica’s

shoulder.“Youcouldhavetoldus.”

Mica’sheadshotup,andhepinnedTaberwithashockedgazebeforelooking

overatSimonandMichael.Theyallhadequalexpressionsofworryand

understanding.

“Shit,man,Idon’tcareifyoudiddleGreysolongasyoudon’tfuckwithhis

cookingskills.”Simonwiggledhiseyebrows.

DravenSt.James

Michaelsighed.“Youhavesuchawonderfulwaywithwords,Simon.Whatthis

kidmeansisthatwe’rehappyforyou.Also,ifanyonegivesyougrief,we’llmakesuretheirassesget
handedtothem.”

“I’mnotakid,youass,”Simonpersistedbeforeadding,“Weprotectwhat’sours,

andyouandGreyareapartofourfamily.Ourdysfunctional,messed-upcollectiveofmisfitfiremen.”

“Wefinallyhaveagaytocompleteus.”Tabergrinned.

Micarolledhiseyesandfoundhisvoice.“Technicallyyouhavetwo,andI

appreciatethesupport.I’msureGreywilltoo,onceheforgivesmeforoutingour

relationship.”

“Greydoesn’tholdgrudges,”Michaelconfided.

“Yeah,evenlastyearwhenIputshoegreaseinGrey’shelmet,hejustlaughedit

off,”Simonmused.

Micachuckled.

“MichaelDonovan?”Adoctorwalkedthroughtheswingingdoorthatseparated

theemergencyroomandthewaitingroom.

“I’mMichael.”Michaelshookthedoctor’shandandfollowedhimoutofearshot.

Micasat,holdinghisbreath,studyingMichael’sfaceforanyexpressionthat

wouldrevealwhatthedoctorwasdisclosing.MomentslaterMichaelgavethedoctoratensesmileand
walkedbackovertoMica.

“Well,Greyhasquiteabumpandlacerationonhishead.Weallknowhead

woundsbleedalot.Theyhadtoputinacoupleofstitches,butitwasn’tasbadasitfirstappeared.The
scansshowedsomeswellingonthebrain,buttheythinkitwillgodown.

Sorightnowwe’rejustwaitingonhimtowakeup.”

Micanodded.“Canweseehim?”

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Oncetheygethimintoaprivateroom,anurseisgoingtobringusback.Mica,

yougofirst,”Michaelsaid.“IthinkGreywouldratherhearyourvoicethanSimon

bitchingaboutnotgettinghisspaghettitonight.”

Micacouldn’tbelievethesemenweretakingthenewsthewaytheywere.Hehad

expectedalotofresponses,buttheoverallacceptancehadn’tbeenatthetopofthelist.

Beingtransferredwasdefinitelythebestthingthathadhappenedtohim,ifonlyGreywouldbeall
right.

Anursecameoutandgesturedtowardtheirgroup.Micasteppedforwardbut

wasstoppedbySimon’shand.Themanwhowasalwaysjokingleanedintosoftlysay,

“You’renottheonlyones.”

MicastaredatSimonandknewtheothermanhadn’tbeenreferringtothepeople

aroundhim.

Wow,thisunitwasfullofsurprises.

DravenSt.James

ChapterEleven

Greywaslaidoutonthehospitalbedwithalargebandageacrosshisforehead,

butotherthanthatheappearedunharmed.ThenursehadconfidedinMicathatGrey

wasbreathingokayandallhisothervitalswerewithinnormalrange.

MicawalkedtowardGrey,notbotheringwithachair.HesimplylaynexttoGrey

onthebed.HeslidhishanddowntoclutchGrey’s.

“IfeellikeI’malwaysapologizingtoyou.Iamsosorry.Youwouldn’thavegotten

hurtifithadn’tbeenforme.”HenuzzledagainstGrey’sneck.HecouldsmellGrey’smasculinescent
beneaththesoot.ItsoothedhimtoknowGreywashereandbreathing.

“You’reright.”Grey’svoiceraspedagainstMica’sear.Micajerkedbacktomeet

Grey’ssleepy,twinklingambereyes.“Itisyourfault.Movetoasingle-levelhomelikemine.Iwas
disorientedwhenIwokeup.IthoughtIwashomeandmyhousewason

fire,andthenboom.Stairs.”

Micagroaned.Ifitweren’tsotragic,itwouldbefunny.“Damnit,youscaredthe

shitoutofme.”

“Scaredmetoo.”Grey’swordswerehuskywithemotion.“IthoughtIwouldn’t

gettotellyouthatIloveyou.”

Micafeltliketimehadstopped.HestaredatGrey’srough,handsomefaceand

sawthehonesttruthofhislove.Mica’sheartclenched.“Iloveyoutoo,”hewhispered.

Athroatclearedfromthedoorway,breakingupthemoment.Micaturnedtolook

atthenursewhohadbroughthimin.

“Iseesomeonehasfinallydecidedtojoinus,”thenursesaidwithasmile.Mica

couldsweartherewasasheenoftearsinhereyes.

HereluctantlymovedoffthebedasthenursecheckedGrey’svitals.

Grey’sHiddenFire

“WhencanIgetoutofhere?”Greyasked,hisvoiceroughfromthesmoke

inhalation.

“Oh,thedoctorwillwanttokeepyouovernightbecauseofthebumponyour

head,butbytomorrow,youcanmakeyourescape.”

MicachuckedasGreysaid,“ThankGod.Ihatehospitals.”

“Honey,Idon’tknowafirefighterwhodoesn’t.Justbeagoodboy,eatyourfood,

andgetsomerest.I’llevenletyourbedwarmerstay.”

“CanIatleastgetcleanedup?IfeellikeIrolledaroundindirt.”

“There’sashowerinyourbathroom.Privateguestroomsarebetterthantriage,

huh,boys?”

Greylaughedandcoughedbeforemanagingtogetout,“Yeah,savesmoneyfor

thefiredepartmentifwearen’tusingtheirwater.”

Micaflushedasherecalledaverymemorableshower.JustseeingGreyso

animated,evenifhewasalittlehoarse,wasamazing.

“Becarefulinthere.Idon’twantyoutoslipandreallyhurtyourself.Takeyour

showerbuddy.”Shesmiledandwinkedasshewalkedoutthedoor,shuttingitquietlybehindher.

“AmIyourshowerbuddy?”Micaasked,wigglinghiseyebrows.

“Oh,Icanthinkofmanythingsyouare.Isupposeyoucanaddthattoyour

résumé.”Greynudgedhim.“Howmuchdamagedidthefiredo?”

“Ihavenoclue.Icamehereimmediatelyafterward,anditwasn’texactly

somethingthatwasonthetopiclistwhenTaber,Simon,andMichaelshowedup.”

“Whatstartedit?”Greyasked,hisbrowfurrowed.

“Daniel.Jefferies’sson.Michaelsaidheadmittedtosendingthenotes.Ican’t

believehetookthingsthisfar.”

Greysighed.“Poorkid.”

Micastaredathim.“What?”

DravenSt.James

“Well,canyouimaginehowmuchhehadtolistentoJefferiesbitchinorderto

becomethatmotivatedtobasicallystalkyou?”

Micashookhishead.No,hehadn’tthoughtinanytermsbesideshowpissedhe

wasthatGreyhadbeenputindanger.“I’vebeenwithyouthewholetime,soIdon’tknowhowthe
copsarehandlingDaniel.I’mfairlycertainthefiremarshalwillcomebackwithastrongcasefor
arson.”

“Iknowhemayhavelityourhouseonfire,butmaybewecantalktothecopsand

seeifwecanfigureoutawaytohelpthekidinsteadofthrowinghiminjail.”

MicaplacedasoftkissonGrey’slips.“That’swhyIloveyou.”

AmischievousgrinspreadacrossGrey’sface.“Ithoughtitwasbecauseyoulove

mepoundingyourass.”

Micafelttheheatonhisfaceandknewhewasturningbrightred.“Youkeepthat

toyourself.”

Greysatupandgroaned.Helightlytouchedhisheadandclosedhiseyes.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Micaasked,alarmedbyhissuddenmovement.

“ThenursesaidIcouldtakeashower.Iwantashower,”Greygroused.

Micafrowned.“Areyousureyouwanttodothatnow?”

“Yes.Ijustgotalittledizzythereforaminute.”Greyglaredathim.“Nowcome

spongemedownandpleasureme.”

Micagrinnedasjoyspreadthroughhim.HefollowedaslowlymovingGreyinto

thebathroom.“Grey,Ihavetotellyousomething.”Hehatedtoruinthelevityofthemoment,buthe
wouldfeelworseforleavingthemaninthedarkabouthowbroadly

theirnewshadspread.“Theguysknowaboutus.”

HestudiedGrey’sface.Therewasnoshock,alarm,orfear.

Greysmiledandsaid,“Well,that’sonelessthingIhavetodowhenIgetout.”

Grey’sHiddenFire

“Youareaphenomenalman,”Micawhispered.“WhatdidIeverdotodeserve

you?”

“Oh,justwait.Onedayyou’llbeaskingthatwithacompletelydifferenttone.”

Greylaughed.

“Idoubtthat.”Micapaused.“Youdidn’task.”

“Ifyou’retalkingabouthowtheguysreacted,Idon’tcare.Iftheywereokaywith

it,awesome.Ifnot,thenitdoesn’tchangehowIfeelaboutyou.Theiropinionsdon’tmattertome.
Yoursdoes.”GreygentlytracedMica’sface.“Nowstopslackingonyourjob.”

Hepushedthehospitalgownoffhisshouldersandstoodnakedintheopen

shower.Hisbodywassexyashell.Thereweresomebruiseshereandthere,nodoubt

fromthefall,butbeyondthathewasperfect.

“You’reevil.”

“What?I’mjuststandinghere.”Grey’seyestwinkledashestrokedhiscock.

Micagroundhisteethasheturnedonthewaterandtestedthetemperaturebefore

strippingoutofhisclothes.ThroughitallGreywatchedhimwithfirelitambereyes.Itwasshocking
thattheman,whojustmomentsagohadbeenlyinginahospitalbed,

couldbestandingheretryingtoseducehim.

MicastrodeuptoGreyandmaneuveredhimunderthesprayofthewater.

“Shampooingfirst,thenplaying,ifyou’relucky.”

GreysnickeredandreacheddowntogiveMica’scockaplayfulstroke.“That’snot

whatyourbodyissaying.”

“Ineverblessedmybodywithmuchintelligence.”

MicaranhisfingertipsthroughthenowdampstrandsofGrey’shair.Helathered

upthelocks,takingawaythescentofsmokewhileavoidingthewaterproofbandage

thatcoveredGrey’sstitches.

DravenSt.James

WhenhehadGreytilthisheadback,Mica’swholebodypressedagainstGrey’s.

Thesensationofallthatwarm,wetskinmadeMica’sbreathcatch.Damnit.

HehidhisfaceinthefreshlywashedcrookofGrey’sneckandskimmedhis

fingersdownGrey’sbodytowrapthemaroundGrey’sslickcock.“Whatdoyouwant,

baby?”

HeleanedbacktocatchawickedgrinplayingacrossGrey’sface.“Howabouta

rolereversalofyourshowerfantasy?Downonyourknees,Mica,”Greydemanded.

MicalaughedbutgladlyfollowedGrey’sordersandkneltatGrey’sfeet.“Now

what?”

GreygrippedhiscockandtouchedtheheadoftheshafttoMica’slips.“Nowyou

suckituntilIcome.”

MicatwirledhistonguearoundthetipofGrey’scocklikeitwasanicecream

cone.“Baby,youaremyfavoritetreat.”

“Lesstalking,moreloving.”Greylookeddownathimwithheatedeyes.

MicaplacedhishandsonGrey’shipsandpulledhimforward.Heswallowed

Grey’scocktothebase.

“Mica.”Greygrowled.HisfingersslidthroughthedampstrandsofMica’shair,

holdinghisheadinplace.

Mica’scockpulsedtolifeashetooktheharshthrustsofGrey’sshaft.Thesmooth,throbbingdick
pumpedinfaster.Grey’sthighstensed,andMicaknewthatanorgasm

wasjustaroundthecorner.

HeglancedupatGreyfrombeneaththewetfringeofhislashesasheslippedone

handbacktotraceafingeraroundGrey’spuckeredhole.Heworkeditinashedeep

throatedGrey.

“OhGod…Mica…yes…”

Grey’sHiddenFire

Hethrusthisfingerin,rubbingalongthesensitiveglandhiddenwithinGrey’s

body.

GreynearlychokedMicaashebuckedhard.“You’regoingtomakemecome.”

MicadughisfingersintoGrey’ships,givinghispermission.GreyheldMica’s

headandfuckedhismouthasMicafuckedGreywithhisfinger.

“Mica.”Grey’scumshotdownMica’sthroatwitheachthrustofGrey’ships.

GreyslumpedagainstthetiledshowerwallasMicastood.Micawrappedhis

handaroundhisthrobbingmember.Hepumpedfuriously,allthewhilestaringinto

Grey’seyes.

“That’sit,baby.Comeonme.”

Mica’seyesrolledbackashiscockeruptedinsteamsofwhitecum.Theysplashed

acrossGrey’sstomachandthighs.

HebroughtahanduptoGrey’smouthandbrushedadropofcumacrosshislush

bottomlip.Grey’stonguepokedouttotasteit,andMicapressedintodesperatelykisshim.They
clutchedeachothertightlyasthecoolingwaterbeatdownonthem,rinsingthemclean.

Micacockedhisheadtotheside.“I’dsaytoneverputyourselfinadangerous

situationagain,butsomehowIdon’tthinkthat’ssomethingeitherofuscancommitto.

SohowaboutIjustpleadthatyoubeverydiligent?Ican’tloseyou.”

GreynuzzledMica’sneckandwhispered,“Ditto.”

Micaturnedoffthewater,andGreygrinned.

“What?”Micaasked,perplexed.

“Ourshowerescapades…”

“Whataboutthem?Otherthanthefactthatwehavetogetdirty,rinse,andrepeat

themassoonaspossible?”Micareplied.Hewasalreadymentallyconstructingalargershowerforhis
hometoencouragefutureencounters.

DravenSt.James

“It’sjust…Idon’tthinkmyinsurancecoversyourservices.”

Micathrewhisheadback,lettingloosearoaroflaughter.Lifewouldneverbe

boringwithhisfirefighter.

Grey’sHiddenFire

LooseIdTitlesbyDravenSt.James

Grey’sHiddenFire

DravenSt.James

DravenSt.James

IhavealwayslovedtowriteandhavebeendoingsosinceIcouldputpento

paper.Mypassionforwritingledmetoadesiretoknowwhatmakespeopletick.

WiththatinmindIgotmybachelor’sdegreeinpsychologyandEnglish.Thewealthofknowledgethat
wasopentomeenrichedmywritinginwaysIcouldnothave

comprehended.

WithmydegreeinpsychologyIwasabletogetajobperformingpsychological

profiles.Ilearnedsomuchforthesimpleactofunderstandinghowpersonalitiesareformed.Iutilized
thisknowledgeinmybooks.IwasabletoformmycharactersbytappingintotheexperiencesIhave
hadwithinthatprofession.

Myratherlargefamilyhasalsogivenmeplentyoffoddertoweavestorieswith

laughterandjoy.Theyhavesupportedmydesiretofollowthecrazyandunpredictablepathofbeinga
writer.

InmysparetimeItutorthoseincreativewritingwhohaveyettofindtheirvoice.

Iseektohelpthemfindthatpartofthemselvesthatcallsouttobereleasedinwords.

Yet,attheendofthedayIfindmyblissinthewrittenword.Istrivetocreate

worldsandbelievablecharactersthatpeoplecanconnecttoandbeinspiredby.I

endeavortoinfusepassionandexcitementintothelivesofmyreaderssimplyby

buildingauniversewhereanythingcanhappen.

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